Kaylee Jaymie Halstead

medication?

Kaylee pov
I was sat in the same chair across from Dr. Charles, my fingers tightly clutching the hem of her sweatshirt. The weight of the room felt heavier today. Dad was sat next to me all tense and judgy. Hailey had an appointment but insisted that dad came with me. My mind was spinning in a thousand directions which wasn't unusual but this was different. It was more overwhelming and quite frankly I was more agitated
Dr Charles: Kaylee I know things have been a little tough recently and I appreciate you being here today
His voice was steady and kind, the way it always was but that was just pissing me off and I don't know why.
Kaylee: dad didn't give me a choice
Dad: Kaylee
I was just fidgeting with my sleeve and bouncing my leg.
Dr Charles: I've gone over the reports from school and I've also had a chance to talk with your dad. We both know that your impulsivity is becoming more difficult to manage. The night with Carl for instance was a clear example of that. You acted without thinking and it led to dangerous consequences
Kaylee: I know. I've already had a lecture I don't need another one
Dad: kaylee
Dr Charles: Impulsivity is a common symptom of ADHD and it can be particularly difficult to manage without the right support. We've talked before about your diagnosis and now it's clear that we need to take a closer look at your treatment options. The impulsivity is getting more pronounced and it's starting to affect your safety and well-being
I had heard all of this before. I already knew what was coming. Dad had been going on and on about it
Dad: Dr Charles I think it's time we consider medication. We've been holding off but it's clear that it's getting harder for Kaylee to manage this on her own. I went through the same thing when I was her age. I had severe ADHD and the impulse control problems nearly ruined my life before I got on medication
I snapped my head towards dad. I had always known about dad's ADHD. He had never kept it from me. He had always been open about it, especially after my own diagnosis but hearing him suggest medication for me the same thing that had helped him was different.

Kaylee: You want me to take meds? Just like you did?
Dad: I know how you feel Kaylee. I know you're scared and I know you're angry. Believe me, I hated the idea of taking meds when I was your age. But they made a difference for me. They helped me control my impulsivity and they helped me function like a normal person. They helped me get my life together
Kaylee: But you don't get it. You don't know what it's like now. I'm not you okay? I don't want to just be... fixed. I don't want to feel like I have to take a pill to make everyone around me happy. I'm not you and I'm not going to just take meds because it worked for you.
Dr Charles: Kaylee it's not about 'fixing' you. We're talking about helping you manage something that's making your life difficult. I understand that you're resistant to the idea of medication but right now the impulsivity is affecting more than just your behavior. It's affecting your safety and it's affecting your relationship with the people who care about you.
Kaylee: You're just like them, aren't you?
My gaze flicked to dad
Kaylee: You want me to take meds so I don't screw up everything. So I'm not a burden.
Dad: Kaylee it's not about you being a burden. It's about you living. You don't have to fight this alone. I didn't have to do it alone when I was your age. I'm not saying it will solve everything. But medication helped me manage my ADHD. It helped me stop making the decisions I regretted and it gave me a chance to focus on what mattered.
I was getting even more frustrated. I felt like they weren't listening. They didn't care how I felt or what I wanted.
Kaylee: You think I don't know what you're saying? You think I don't know how hard it is to feel like everyone's looking at you like you're a problem? I'm not stupid okay? I know what you're telling me but I don't want to be fixed Dr Charles. I just want to... I just want to be me. But no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, it's not enough. I can't win.
Dad: Kaylee...
Kaylee: No you don't get it! You think I want to screw up? You think I want to hurt people? I'm not trying to be a disaster I swear. But I can't stop myself and no one understands how that feels. No one.
Dr Charles nodded slowly, leaning forward.
Dr Charles: I'm not saying you're a disaster. I'm saying we need to help you feel better and medication can be one part of that but I also think therapy will help you work through the emotional side of this. We're not asking you to make a decision today but we need to keep the conversation going.

I could feel my breathing getting a little faster. I was so angry, so overwhelmed by the weight of it all and i didn't know how to make it stop. Dad reached over, placing a hand on my arm.
Dad: Kaylee I'm not trying to make you feel like you're broken. I just want you to have a chance to live the way you deserve. Without the constant fear of messing up.
Kaylee: I don't know what to do anymore
Dr Charles: That's okay. You don't have to know all the answers today. But we'll keep working through this and we'll take it one step at a time. We're here to support you
Dad: We're in this together, Kaylee. Whatever you decide we'll be with you but medication will help you
Kaylee: I don't care. I'm done talking about this
I got up and slammed the door behind

Jay pov
Dr Charles: She's in a tough place right now. It's not uncommon for adolescents with ADHD to feel like they're being forced into something they don't want.
Jay: I know but this isn't just about her acting out. I can see how much she's struggling with it. I just don't know what to do.
Dr Charles We may need to explore other ways to manage her ADHD symptoms. Medication is just one option, and it's clear that Kaylee isn't ready for that. But there are other approaches we can try. Some people find that making changes to their diet or increasing physical activity can help with impulsivity and focus
Jay: Diet changes? Physical activity?
Dr Charles: Yes, in some cases, altering what a person eats can help stabilize mood and improve focus. For instance, cutting down on sugar and processed foods and adding more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish or walnuts, can sometimes reduce hyperactivity. The same goes for physical activity. Exercise releases endorphins which are natural mood boosters. For kids with ADHD sports or even just regular outdoor activities can help burn off that excess energy and improve focus.
Jay: so that's why she's a little calmer after soccer?
Dr Charles: yeah. It's not a magic solution but it's a starting point. I believe in a holistic approach, finding ways to manage ADHD through lifestyle changes, therapy, and, if necessary, medication. It's about building a routine that works for her, something that allows her to feel like she's in control.
Jay: You're right. It's not just about meds. She's already had enough of people trying to force that on her. But how do I even start with all this? She's not exactly open to listening right now.
Dr Charles: The key is patience Jay. It's about showing her that you understand how hard it is for her. She's not rejecting you or your suggestions. She's rejecting the feeling of being out of control. She needs to know that there are options and that she has some input in the decision
Jay: I just want her to feel better. She's so... lost sometimes
Dr Charles: I understand. We'll work together on this. For now, I'd suggest you try to start small. Maybe take her out for a walk or sign her up for something that involves movement. It doesn't have to be a formal sport at first—just something that she can enjoy. And you might want to try talking to her about dietary changes in a way that doesn't feel like an ultimatum. If she sees it as a choice rather than something forced on her, she may be more willing to give it a shot
Jay: I'll try. Thanks, Dr. Charles. I just... I don't want to mess this up for her
Dr Charles: You won't. You're doing the right thing by reaching out. You're involved and that's what matters

Kaylee pov
I was just walking around the hospital. I was angry, frustrated and hurt and i needed to be alone. I walked past the break room
??: Kaylee?
I turned and Connor was standing there
Kaylee: hi
Connor: What's going on? You look like you've been through a war
Kaylee: I'm fine. Just... my dad and Dr. Charles are being all pushy about medication and I'm done with it. I'm so tired of everyone trying to fix me
He reached out, giving her a light hug
Connor: Hey, I get it but you've got to know—your dad just wants you to feel better. I'm sure he's just trying to help even if it doesn't feel like it.
I pulled away from the hug and glanced at him.
Kaylee: I don't need fixing. I just need to be me, you know?
Connor: Yeah, I get that. But sometimes, being 'you' means getting the right help. It doesn't have to be meds. But you gotta try to make it work somehow, Kaylee.
Kaylee: I don't know. I just don't want anyone thinking I'm broken
Connor: You're not broken. You're just figuring it out and you don't have to do it alone. Your dad's there for you."
Kaylee: Yeah. I know
Connor: Good. Now let's go grab a coffee. I'm buying
We walked together to the coffee cart
Connor: latte?
Kaylee: double shot
Connor: your dad's gonna kill me. You better not be bouncing off the wall
Kaylee: coffee calms me down