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Judi Lynn

(164,047 posts) Thu May 15, 2014, 11:58 PM May 2014

Sen. Dan Patrick confirms time in psychiatric hospital [View all]

Source: Houston Chronicle

Sen. Dan Patrick confirms time in psychiatric hospital
| May 15, 2014 | Updated: May 15, 2014 11:37pm

Sen. Dan Patrick issued a terse statement late Thursday about a period in his life 30 years ago during which he sought medical attention to cope with "mild depression and exhaustion."

Patrick, who is in a runoff with David Dewhurst for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor issued the statement late Thursday in response to various media reports that he once was on anti-depressants and admitted to a psychiatric hospital, according to court documents related to a slander suit Patrick filed against the Houston Post in the 1980s.

While Patrick accused Dewhurst of releasing the documents to the media, the documents were released to the San Antonio Express-News and other media by Jerry Patterson, the departing Commissioner for the General Land Office of Texas and a former candidate for lieutenant governor.

Here is Patrick's statement:

Under cover of darkness and just 4 days before the start of Early Voting, David Dewhurst, strikes another low blow, hoping to arrest his further decline in the polls in a feeble attempt to desperately cling to elective office. Patrick Campaign spokesman, Allen Blakemore, issued the following statements:

“This is outrageous! Dewhurst had already hit bottom, and now he has found a new low! He has no honor, and knows no shame!

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Sen-Dan-Patrick-confirms-time-in-psychiatric-5482563.php

50 replies

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Sen. Dan Patrick confirms time in psychiatric hospital [View all] Judi Lynn May 2014 OP

He has no honor, and knows no shame! UpInArms May 2014 #1

It was a nice summation. I was afraid he was going to sound nutty! QuestForSense May 2014 #13

So 30 years ago a man had PumpkinAle May 2014 #2

(you said this a lot better than I did) psiman May 2014 #4

+1 nt Live and Learn May 2014 #8

+1 tofuandbeer May 2014 #10

True shenmue May 2014 #19

Is a person's mental health a reasonable factor to know when considering a vote? Android3.14 May 2014 #21

Seeking help is a positive sign. Those that are ill and never seek help should worry us more. nt Xipe Totec May 2014 #28

Seriously eom Maeve May 2014 #31

+ Several Brazillion! Demeter May 2014 #33

Very true. n/t PumpkinAle May 2014 #43

Thank You Liberalynn May 2014 #23

^^^^THIS^^^^ Lochloosa May 2014 #24

Thank you. mahatmakanejeeves May 2014 #26

I agree with you. But fuck Dan Patrick, anyway. Paladin May 2014 #27

30 years ago is a long time. Hopefully, he got the help he needed. CTyankee May 2014 #30

I think it is more common than we know - PumpkinAle May 2014 #45

She seems to be...I always considered her to be the most creative thinker I have ever known. CTyankee May 2014 #50

Good for Senator Patrick psiman May 2014 #3

And this is why you shouldnt seek professional help if you have a mental illness. 951-Riverside May 2014 #5

Yeah, I'm not seeing anything joyous about this article, either. tofuandbeer May 2014 #11

IS Rove running the dewhust campaign? Doctor_J May 2014 #32

Yes, Rove and cronies are behind Dewhurst MosheFeingold May 2014 #46

Mental Health levies always seem to pass .... FarPoint May 2014 #6

Being in the GOP is like being in a psychiatric hospital. blkmusclmachine May 2014 #7

Wow, finding a republican who actually sought mental health is like finding the holy grail! Zipgun May 2014 #9

Meh, it's a wash. DeSwiss May 2014 #12

Those that seek help are much healthier than those that don't... alittlelark May 2014 #14

Judge him on the merits of what he inflicts on others, not on what he is afflicted with. . . Journeyman May 2014 #15

Well said. n/t PumpkinAle May 2014 #44

knowing when you need help and acting on it is a virtue Skittles May 2014 #16

Have you listened closely to this guy? czarjak May 2014 #17

It doesn't give his opponent a reason to capitalize upon his past helplessness Judi Lynn May 2014 #18

The Houston Chronicle article you attached says Patrick has been open about this treatment. Paladin May 2014 #29

Has no honor, and knows no shame - Isn't that the motto of the Republican Party? nt Xipe Totec May 2014 #20

Both a motto and a characteristic of sociopaths. Cal33 May 2014 #49

What a nice person this Dewhurst guy is davidpdx May 2014 #22

I smell Rove. Octafish May 2014 #25

Being crazy disqualifies a Republican for public office? Kelvin Mace May 2014 #34

Only if you are undiagnosed. That accounts for about three fourths of the gop. jwirr May 2014 #36

He would be fine if he were a Democrat. I am not so sure about the rethugs. jwirr May 2014 #35

Don't be so sure. former9thward May 2014 #38

I worked in McGoverns headquaters in 72 and that was a different era. At least for the Democrats. jwirr May 2014 #39

It was a different era for sure. former9thward May 2014 #40

No they have not. jwirr May 2014 #41

So if a Rethug dirty-tricks another Rethug, what will he do at Dem woman Leticia VAN DE PUTTE?!1 UTUSN May 2014 #37

Leticia van de Putte has a great chance in this race Gothmog May 2014 #42

Can you please add (Texas) to the title? Thanks (nt) question everything May 2014 #47

According to Juanita Jean, another republican is responsible for the leak Gothmog May 2014 #48