Chase Anderson, MD, MS (K.C. Ardem) 🦸🏽♂️🏳️🌈
@ChaseTMAnderson
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An AA, gay, rainbow-phoenix psychiatrist @UCSFMedicine spreading love + justice throughout the world. Welcome aboard. Views are mine|not med advice 👑💖🦄.
San Francisco, CA
Joined November 2019
Your Black, gay child and adolescent psychiatrist getting their name on the door. I had an office at ZSFG when I split time there but consolidated to our main campus last year and been bouncing offices. Only 2-3% of American psychiatrists are Black. Honored to be one of them.💖
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Every day in America since 2016:
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Note from a psychiatrist with 4 years of medical school training, 3 years in adult psychiatry, and 2 years as a child and adolescent psych fellow: it’s not marijuana. It’s not antidepressants. It’s the guns, white nationalists, Fox News and the conservatives who enable this all.
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Motion for every American to Venmo request Mitch McConnell $2000.
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I better never hear about Black Lives Matter peaceful protests being lawless or uncultured again.
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Nineteen years ago when the depression started I wasn’t sure if I would make it. All I wanted was to find a way to help others. Today, I graduate from child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCSF!. I will forever love you all and be your Black, gay unicorn-phoenix.💖🦄🏳️🌈🔥
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Normalize actually listening to healthcare workers if you’re going to keep calling them heroes and saying how much you admire them.
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Normalize arresting white terrorists in America.
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Note from a psychiatrist with nine years of training: SSRIs don’t cause people to murder other people.
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Normalize the knowledge that just one accepting adult can reduce suicide attempts in LGBTQ+ teens by 40% or more - be that accepting and supportive adult.💖🦄🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
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"We're speaking." ~ 74,847,834 Americans and counting.
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If you don’t provide healthcare to transgender people because of your “beliefs,” get out of medicine - leave the field to the people who actually care.
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Your Black, queer, child and adolescent psychiatrist taking a day at the beach and feeling deeply happy and grateful to be officially in my fourth month without suicidality or depressive symptoms.🥰💖🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🦄🦸🏽♂️✊🏽🔥
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Don't call healthcare workers "heroes" if you aren't getting vaccinated - we're not here for your bullshit platitudes when people are dying.
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We still aren't talking enough about the long-term effects this pandemic is already having on healthcare workers as society betrays them yet calls them heroes and expects them to smile about how the populace couldn't do the bare minimum.
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If your "sincerely held beliefs" stop you from taking care of LGBTQ+ patients, you don't deserve to be a doctor.
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Keep Simone Biles' name out of your mouth unless you're taking about respecting and praising her decision to protect her mental health.
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To my fellow introverts: with the vaccine saving lives and things opening up, we must once again plot around how to decline invitations.
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Let’s stop with the “doctors are heroes.” Doctors on the frontlines are NORMAL people doing extraordinary things because they are forced to by a broken system. Fix the system, give them hazard pay, understand calling them heroes undervalues their efforts, get vaccinated.
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The Olympics is winning the gold in racism this year.
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Normalize calling white bombers terrorists.
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Your queer, Black, child and adolescent psychiatrist enjoying being in remission from their depression and thinking about how much he loves you all.💖🦄🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🦸🏽♂️🔥✊🏽
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To my fellow introverts: our worst nightmare has become reality. Small talk has returned.
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A note from a psychiatrist: bipolar disorder doesn't cause you to be racist. Depression doesn't cause you to be racist. Dementia doesn't cause you to be racist. Racism is never a criteria used for mental illness diagnoses. Stop blaming someone's racism on their mental illness.
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Normalize screening for ADHD in women of all ages, given that women are not diagnosed until older ages (if at all).
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Once upon a time, I wrote about experiences of bigotry in medicine as K.C. Ardem due to fear of retaliation. Now, I write to you using my real name. It's time we take back our voices. Many thanks to @NEJM for publishing this piece. #HumanityIsOurLane.
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I’m just a gay, Black, unicorn-phoenix physician, standing in front of a country, asking them to wear a mask so I can one day make out with a bunch of dudes at clubs again. 💋🔥💖🦄🏳️🌈.
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LGBTQ+ children deserve to become LGBTQ+ adults. LGBTQ+ children deserve gender-affirming care. LGBTQ+ children deserve to live without fear. LGBTQ+ children deserve adults and peers who love and respect them. LGBTQ+ children deserve a society that fights for them.💖🦄🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🦸🏽.
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Today I was waiting for food at a restaurant and a guy came over. “Hi, I follow you on Twitter! I know you’re an introvert and I want to respect your space, but just wanted to say thanks for what you’re doing.”. I said thank you and he went on his way. It was perfectly done.🥺💖.
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(CW: suicidality). Physicians have suicide rates 2x the general population. I am a gay, Black physician who lives with a history of two suicide attempts. This is my story.💖. So many thanks to @letswondermind @AshleyOerman for publishing this piece.💖.
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Gays getting ready for Pride.🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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Normalize the understanding that an introvert might absolutely love to just sit with their friends and listen to the conversation without saying a word - that listening is participating.
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I signed my first note as an attending--with no co-sign. I almost gay fainted at the rush of power and anxiety.
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If you're a physician saying, "Why do we have to learn pronouns for everyone?" when you took the time to learn and pronounce choledocholithiasis, your biases are showing - and your lack of compassion.
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The introverted urge to pack up, release your job, break your phone so you can’t be found, move to a big cabin the woods with bookcases on every wall, and live out the rest of your days canoeing on calm rivers, taking walks through the forest, and communing with nature.
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If you're a doctor refusing care to transgender patients you're not the healer you think you are.
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First year of attendinghood at UCSF as a Black, gay, non-binary, Ass. Professor in child and adolescent psychiatrist officially done! . Onto year two!. So appreciative of the mentorship, the families and amazing kids, all of my friends and family, and all of you!!🥰💖🦄🏳️🌈🦸🏽♂️✊🏽🔥
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When you’re working with a kid who is transgender and after pronouns you say, “I’m clearly openly gay and I’m always here to talk about your identity if you want or need.” . And they and parent smile. And your supervisor later praises your openness. This is the way.💖🦄🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
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When you see in a patient note for the first time "Patient seen and discussed with attending Dr. Chase Anderson" and you reflect on having made it to this point while being Black and gay in medicine--I gay gasped, gay cried, and had all the good minoritized feels.
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For all the doctors saying "I don't care about pronouns," or "it's too hard to remember," here are the facts: . ". for transgender youth, using their chosen name in school, work, home, and with friends. decreased suicide attempts by 65%.". So, you better fucking care.
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Been having suicidal thoughts for the past few days due to running into people who were part of my 6th episode and some racist things. I’m safe. Work, friends, therapist are aware, and all my plans are in place. Sharing so we know it’s okay to share. Love you all.🥰💖🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🦸🏽♂️🦄✊🏽
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PSA: If you can find the time to figure out how to pronounce choledocholithiasis, you can take the time to properly pronounce the names of your minoritized colleagues.
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LGBTQ+ 101: it’s not “what are your preferred pronouns?” it’s “what are your pronouns?” Their identity is not a preference, it is who they are.💖🦄🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
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Normalize the knowledge that many introverts “play the extrovert” role because we live in a society where extroverted traits are “more valuable.”.
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Normalize not calling healthcare workers heroes then having Super Bowls with tons of fans in the stadiums and a halftime show where people are touching each other. Just be honest and call healthcare workers expendables.
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Normalize making the path easier for those who follow after you.
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Entering month 6 of remission from my depression, anxiety, and suicidality feels so good. Each of you has had a hand in saving my life. Thank you.💖. Let’s keep uniting and save some fucking lives. I love you all so much,. Your Black, queer child psychiatrist.🥰💖🦄🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🦸🏽♂️✊🏽🔥
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Normalize medical professionals being able to discuss their mental health without negative repercussions.
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If you are a doctor who doesn't provide birth control and abortion care because of "your beliefs," you shouldn't be a doctor.
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When I first started an antidepressant + therapy, I despised both, feeling ashamed that I needed them. Now I feel glad: both helped me survive. The stigma we hold can fade as we heal. Love, . Your Black, queer psychiatrist on Trintellix + doing weekly therapy.🥰💖🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🔥🦄🦸🏽♂️
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Medical school and residency when we say we’re “fine”:
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I cannot tell you the number of kids who came out for the first time simply because of my hair or being openly - clearly - gay. It's a lot. Or how parents breathed easier when I asked their kid their pronouns. But I will say, representation - you being you - matters.💖🦄🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
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A few questions of many that remain on my mind: once we get through this pandemic, who is going to heal the healers? Who is going to help them with the aftershocks they suffer and repair the dreams they once had of a society that did not support them by doing the bare minimum?.
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PSA: start getting your quarantine “buddies” lined up. Now.
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If you’re a physician who says “Black people have a higher pain tolerance” or other racist comments, you should retire - now.
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Gay bros after the amazing @brosthemovie 💖. When I was younger and experiencing depression due to discrimination for being Black and gay, all I wanted was a simple life. A life where I went to gay movies with gay friends. I’m glad I stayed alive and get to see that life.💖
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Normalize the knowledge that an introvert may prefer to text than talk on the phone because it gives us time to think.
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Normalize the fact that many physicians live and work with mental illness and are stunning at their work - and those that struggle because of how the system is built deserve kindness and love.
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Normalize kindness being viewed as strength.
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Normalize white people not forever tagging Black people in articles or posts about racism - tag your white friends who need to learn and educate themselves. We’ve already lived - we are living - that mess and often can be re-traumatized seeing such things.
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Normalize the knowledge that using a transgender individual’s chosen name can decrease suicidal behavior by 56%. Be that person who respects others - you could be saving a life.💖🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🦄.
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This physician will always support nurses and other healthcare workers. We are a fucking team. Act like it.
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Calling healthcare workers "heroes" perpetuates the idea that people in the medical field have some sort of "superpower," when they are simply ordinary people who deserve better support and actual action - such as getting vaccinated.
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Psychiatry 101: no one asked for their mental illness. No one asked to have days that are hard, where to survive is more than enough. No one asked to have parts of their mind fragmented. Remember those facts before judging someone with a mental illness.
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Normalize letting introverts be introverts.
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PSA: Black people shouldn’t have to prove their pain to you for you to care.
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PSA: My being a gay doctor is never the problem. Your homophobia is the problem. My being a Black doctor is never the issue. Your racism and biases are the issue. My being myself is never wrong. If you don’t allow me to be myself, that is what is wrong.
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Your Black, queer child and adolescent psychiatrist on a mental health walk with a cute drink. In month three of remission from my suicidality and settling into myself in a way I never thought possible. Just wanted to say I love you all so much and thank you.🥰💖🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🔥🦄🦸🏽♂️✊🏽
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I take an antidepressant for depression - now in remission - and anxiety. That is okay. I have gone to therapy in the past because of my mental illnesses caused by discrimination. That is okay. I am alive because of those supports and others. It is right to use those supports.
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Normalize not telling an introvert they need to “speak up more” when you truly need to be listening more and speaking less.
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Introvert 101: Most of us are drawn to careers where we listen to people and/or help them process previous trauma, struggles, and dreams. We need alone time in the morning to gear up for that, and alone time after to process and have our own space after holding space for others.
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All medications should be free. All healthcare should be free.
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Normalize creating a medical culture where the mental health of healthcare workers is truly supported.
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Normalize understanding that just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
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Normalize attendings not continuing the legacy of abuse they experienced as trainees.
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Your Black, queer, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Disneyland.🥰💖🦄🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈✊🏽🦸🏽♂️🔥
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Normalize speaking openly about mental illness.
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Good morning to everyone this morning! 🥰💖🏳️🌈🦄🦸🏿♂️🔥
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The introverted urge to be in that remote cabin in the woods with your thousands of books, wake up and sip your hot tea on the deck with a blanket around you, not have to respond to a single email, and walk underneath the stardust in the sky at night without a care in the world.
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I'm a child psychiatrist so here's some basic stuff I know. What's NOT bad for kids?.- Supporting them exploring their sexuality.- Talking about their mental health.- Drag queens. What IS bad for kids?.- Discrimination.- Climate change.- School shootings. Easy peasy!.
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Normalize going to therapy and not being ashamed for helping yourself learn to be a better self.
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When you send your first Chief email and it's literally as gay as you can make it without adding glitter. Welcome to UCSF Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship: we want you to be loved for who you are.
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If you're a physician saying, "I went through worse," or "I went through it so you should too," you're perpetuating the legacy of abuse - you need to reflect on how you're now perpetuating the same actions of those who abused you - stop, now.
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People are getting STEP scores, so going to self-disclose like I did before #MedTwitter:. - 202 on Step 1.- 210 on Step 2 (one point above passing).- Failed 4 Shelf exams (thus, automatic Pass on clerkships even with honoring clinically). Still here. Tests are not you.💖💖💖💖.
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Normalize paying Black women for all the talks you’re asking them to give on racism.
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Stop shooting us. Stop killing us.
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Your Black, queer, child and adolescent psychiatrist going through a new evolution. I’ve begun accepting I might live to old age, a thought I hadn’t fully let myself believe since my third episode with suicidality. To everyone living with mental illness, we’re here with you.💖
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Men make women feel unsafe. If one man does it then it is every man’s problem, and we need to be actively working to make women feel safe. Stop with this “not all men” bullshit.
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Day 2 post Pfizer vaccine: Still powerfully Black ✊🏽. Still gloriously gay 🏳️🌈. Still eternally your unicorn-phoenix 🔥🦄.
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PSA: we are already seeing psychiatric fallout for healthcare workers during the pandemic - depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. We need to be playing a better long-game. Every single healthcare worker should have psychiatric services put in place for them in an opt-out setup.
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Once upon a time, a gay psychiatry fellow went on a 13-hour drive to see his parents and sister in Seattle because everyone was vaccinated, to relax, and to take some time for himself before reengaging as always. And it was beautiful along the way. 💖🏳️🌈🦄🔥🦸🏽♂️✊🏽
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Normalize respecting someone’s boundaries around protecting their mental health.
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Tell me you were always gay without telling me you were always gay.💖🦄🏳️🌈🔥
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Handy white guide for Juneteenth tomorrow:. - Should I do Blackface? No. - Should I appropriate Black culture? No.- Should I talk about how slavery had good aspects? No.- Should I tell Black people I “get them”? No.- Should I work for true social justice and equity? Yes.
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Normalize physicians supporting nurses and other healthcare colleagues.
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Normalize the fact that undetectable = untransmittable for HIV, and stop stigmatizing people living with HIV.💖🦄🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
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