Problem Kid

Chapter 56

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"Everleigh?" I look up from stroking Summer to see three people standing in the doorway. The first person holds a notepad and folder, her dirty blonde hair in a tight bun. She wears a black suit jacket, white blouse, a tight knee length skirt and black slip on shoes. Behind her stands an older man in dark jeans and a red shirt. The top button is undone and his hair spiky. The third person has short auburn hair which is an organised mess and she wears a smart black feminine suit. I look at them as the first lady speaks again.

"Hello, Everleigh. We're the mental health team and we're here to have a chat with you. Can we come in?" I nod silently and they all walk in. The first person takes a seat in the spare chair and the others stand each side of her against the wall. It's kind of intimidating.

"Okay, so we'll do a round of introductions first. My name is Michelle and I'm a part of this hospitals adult mental health services. I'm a clinical psychologist. Arron? Do you want to go next?" The man nods, standing up straight before speaking.

"Hello, I'm Arron and I'm also part of the adult mental health service. I'm from the local team but I come to the hospital sometimes and I'm an art therapist but I help with assessments too," he smiles once he's done talking and I force a blank smile back before turning to the final person.

"Hey there, Everleigh. I'm Jackie and I'm a consultant for the hospitals adult mental health service," I thank her before preparing myself to speak.

"Erm... I'm Everleigh? And... Uh... This is Summer," Jackie nods.

"Don't worry, Everleigh. You don't need to be worried. We aren't making any major decisions today, we just want to chat and get to know you and your situation. We don't make any major choices or decisions on anything admission related until the patient is medically fit," I thank her again and she nods. Jimmy leans forward to speak next.

"I'm Jimmy and I'm Everleigh's partner. We've also got Sam and Jack who were our carers for the last couple years of our teenage period. They're not here right now but are coming in a bit. We live with them currently too," They all nod and Michelle thanks him.

"So, first of all we just want to know a bit about you, Everleigh. If that's okay?" I nod and prepare to talk.

"I'm Everleigh and I'm 20 years old. I'm diagnosed with POTS which is a chronic illness. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I'm also diagnosed with depression, anxiety, C-PTSD and anorexia with bulimic behaviours. Summer is my service dog. I live with Sam and Jack with Jimmy and... Yeah..." Arron nods as Michelle writes things in her notepad.

"Can you tell us about your mental health history, if that's okay?" Arron asks. I agree and begin to talk again.

"So... I developed my anorexia and bulimic issues as an early teen along with self harm. They were how I coped with the bullying. That happened from very young which caused trauma. Other traumas I have are... Well... My dad died. In a car accident that was my fault..." Jimmy shakes his head, standing up and coming to hold my hand, though it's more like holding my cast now.

"It wasn't your fault, Ev," he whispers. I just shake my head, continuing.

"That was when I lived in Australia. I got Summer there too and trained her myself with help from a certified service dog trainer. I had a lot of psych ward admissions there along with suicide attempts and stuff. Some admissions for ED, some for attempts or self harm and some for both. They didn't really work though. I recovered better at home with my mum. We moved to England when I was in my mid teens and I struggled in school with bullying which caused more relapses and more hospital admissions. My mum died too so... Yeah... That impacted me badly. In one of my psych ward stays I was... I was raped. I... I can't I'm sorry I need to stop I can't do this," I shake my head as the tears begin to pour down my face. I want to lift my hands to cover my face but only my right one moves and even then, it takes all my energy to get it up to my face which only makes me cry harder.