Holden Caulfield is a sixteen year old boy that suffers from many different mental disorders. These disorders include post traumatic stress disorder which lead to depression and bipolar disorder. From the death of his younger brother, Allie, to his life decisions and choices it shows his state of mind. Post traumatic stress disorder is a disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying thing. After Holden’s brothers death he, “slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist” (Salinger 44). He went into the garage to isolate himself from everyone else and broke the windows out of anger. His post traumatic stress disorder kept getting worse because he continually …show more content…
This applies to Holden because if he faces the things that he has been keeping inside he would go past it and grow. Bipolar disorder is a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive loads to manic highs. Manic episodes are a part of the bipolar disorder which can include racing thoughts, talking fast, jumping from one idea to another, and the inability to concentrate well. When Holden is talking to Sally he went on and on about all that he hated jumping from one thing to another, “I hate living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison Avenue buses, with the drivers and all always yelling at you to get out at the rear door and being introduced to phony guys that call the Lunts angels, and going up and down in elevators when you just want to go outside, and guys fitting your pants all the time at Brooks, and people anyways” (Salinger 145).Holden can’t stay on the same topic and his train of thought isn’t focused in the least. When he says this, it exhibits the symptoms of the disorder and more specifically, a manic episode. Effective treatment for bipolar disorder includes mood stabilizing medication combined with therapies such as Cognitive
Holden Caulfield is a seventeen year old male who shows evidence of a possible diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD). This possible diagnosis is due to sudden outbursts of anger,constant deceitfulness, feelings of emotional numbness, and many other symptoms. Some people who say that he’s just a spoiled child however, there is evidence to prove that there is a much deeper issue. Traumatic events such as abuse(emotional,mental,and sexual), neglect,death of a loved one,abandonment, feelings of emptiness, and suicidal thoughts can cause these mental illnesses. With his long list of symptoms, the evidence proves that he suffers from PTSD and BPD.
Holden Caulfield, the main character in The Catcher In The Rye, has many qualities a seventeen-year-old boy possesses. By using psychoanalytic interpretations it's clear that other than the normal mood swings and closed off feelings, Holden uses a defense mechanism called displacement to take out his anger. He has a fear of growing up, ironically because he wants to be treated like an adult. Also, Holden also has an insecure sense of self, though at times it may not be obvious. All in all, he seems like just an average teenage boy.
Furthermore, he displays complete apathy towards his future, is unable to form connections with other people, and frequently speaks of how he is ‘depressed’ and ‘lonely.’ He even states at one point that; ‘what I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window.’ Holden is clearly suffering from depression and suicidal idealisation, therefore his mental health may cause us to question his reliability as a narrator as his outlook on life is greatly affected by the way he feels, showed in the fact that he generally puts a negative spin on
Holden Caulfield is a sixteen year old boy who has
His first traumatizing encounter was when his young brother, Allie, died of leukemia. Holden talks about the first reaction he had, saying “ I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it. I even tried to break all the windows on the station wagon we had that summer, but my hand was already broken and everything by that time, and I couldn't do it,” (Salinger 21). Holden’s second traumatizing encounter was when he witnessed six malicious boys bully another boy to a point where he jumped out of the window and committed suicide. Holden describes the gruesome scene, saying, “...and there was old James Castle laying right on the stone steps and all.
He also cannot stay in the same hotel for much time. Holden’s unstable actions are a reflection of his mind. This mindset is definitely linked to his depression. Most depressed patients cannot stay in a single place for too long because they get the feeling they are “rotting” in that place.
Kierlyn Flynn English ⅚ March 2, 2023 A mentally healthy individual has the characteristics of emotional intelligence and spiritual consciousness. Holden didn’t have those characteristics. Mental health issues people went through in the past differ from how it is today in the present. Mental health was treated poorly especially in younger adults who experienced it the most.
Holden recalls the time he spent the night in his garage: “I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it. It was very stupid I have to admit, but I hardly didn’t even know I was doing it, and you didn’t know Allie (Salinger, 39).” His denial is represented when he does not admit why he did what he did to the garage. Holden
The first cause of Holden 's mental illness that readers notice is that he lacks control over his actions. As Holden was 13 years old, his brother Allie died of leukemia. Holdens behavior in response to his brothers death was very violent. “I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it (Holden Caulfield 39).” Holden admits that he didn’t know he was doing it, but says it was a stupid thing to do.
Isolation and Depression: A Vicious Cycle Grief. Depression. Isolation. What do you think when you hear those words? Holden Caulfield has been through a lot, from being kicked out of several schools to being so depressed he wonders why he should go on living. Holdens family keeps pushing him away and that’s where he learns his tendency to push people away who he cares about.
In J.D Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye the character Holden is shown to have many different psychological issues and personality traits. Holden seems to be very emotionally unstable and his exhibits of feelings. As the novel progresses, we observe all of Holden’s memories of his emotions and psychological breakdowns. Holden is unable to cope with his psychological and mental issues causing him to have spikes of emotion always leading him to another emotional collapse. Holden’s initial issue is that he is emotionally unstable.
Chapter 14 Analysis: It is easy to tell that Holden is not mentally well. He can not seem to get over his brother’s death even though it has been years since it happened. It takes time for someone to grieve their loss but Holden’s hallucinations suggest that what he needs is professional care. 15.
Sickness comes in many forms, but perhaps the most misunderstood form happens mentally. All of the events that happen to the main character in The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, are caused in some way or another by his mental illness. Holden Caulfield is a boy who drops out of school and travels to New York City. Holden makes irresponsible decisions like when he travels to New York City by himself without permission which affects him mentally. Holden’s mental illnesses affects his decision making,specifically his decision to stay in school and his inability to connect with people.
Holden Caulfield is a 17 year old boy from New York who came to me seeking help. He shared with me his many experiences and stories that I believe to be the source of his problems. From what I have heard Holden does not suffer from a mental illness, he is suffering more from a harsh transition from childhood to adulthood. Holden seems to be “falling” into adulthood rather than transitioning. Without further treatment is when Holden might develop a more serious illness.
Holden's Diagnosis Holden Caulfield would more than likely be diagnosed with at least three mental illnesses. In J. D. Salinger's book The Catcher in the Rye, Holden shows signs of multiple illnesses that affect his life. Holden would more than likely be diagnosed with depression, anxiety and loneliness.