How Is Holden Caulfield Mental Illness
“Holden Caulfield holds a place in the American psyche akin to Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer: an exquisitely rendered character with whom nearly anyone can identify” (Perle). In the year 1946, the book “Catcher in the Rye” was published. The story is about a boy named Holden Caulfield, who shows many signs indicative of mental disorder throughout the book. A few of these problems are Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and depression. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or more commonly known as PTSD is a condition which only occurs after a person has gone through stress or trauma in their life. There is one instance in the story where Holden may have developed PTSD from, which is death of his younger brother, Allie. After this tragic event, Holden’s parents send him to a private boarding school, worsening the effect. He does not do well in school and his …show more content…
It is a disorder in which a person would display excessive thoughts, which could lead to repetitive behaviors. Few symptoms of this disorder is someone using the same words multiple times, and repeatedly going over similar thoughts and actions (Mayo Clinic). Holden Caulfield clearly suffers from OCD. I understand this condition involves repeated thoughts [obsessing] and the desire to fulfil them immediately [compulsive]. This is clearly seen on the night after Holden is expelled from Pencey. Holden gets this idea he should leave Pencey immediately instead of waiting until Wednesday. He packs his stuff and sells the expensive typewriter for only $20. One night Holden spends all of his money going from one pub to another due to his obsessions. Further proof of Holden’s condition appears in constant references to “if a body, catch a body comin thro the rye”(Salinger). Finally, throughout the story, Holden constantly thinks about Allie, and how great of a person he was, and he constantly uses the word “phony” to describe anyone that he doesn’t
Holden Caulfield Ptsd
793 Words | 4 PagesBased on the National Institution of Mental Health and examples from the novel The Catcher in the Rye, the main protagonist Holden Caufield displays multiple signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Throughout the novel, Holden shows many of the symptoms such as avoidance, and hyperarousal. Those who experience symptoms such as the ones mentioned, they most likely have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD much like Holden did. J.D Salinger portrayed PTSD through Holden and how he, and like so many others suffer from this mental disorder.
Holden Caulfield Ptsd Essay
1076 Words | 5 PagesThe Red Hat Holden Caulfield is the main character in The Catcher in the Rye, a novel written by J.D. Salinger. The novel is a flashback of Holden’s life when he was seventeen years old, when he was kicked out of Pency Prep. Holden tells his story from a rest home in California where he is seeking the help he needs after his mental deterioration caused by his younger brother Allie’s death. After reading The Catcher in the Rye and having an understanding of Holden’s deterioration, the conjecture that Holden has PTSD can easily be argued. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can be acquired at any age, by anyone.
Holden Caulfield Criticism
1114 Words | 5 PagesKeeping these things in mind, Holden Caulfield is presented much like the author. Caulfield has a very immature attitude that fall under the category of Ego-Defensive. The Ego-Defensive category has four subcategories within itself called; denial, repression, projective, and rationalization, that are labeled as defense mechanisms through psychological lenses. According to McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of Modern Medicine, denial is the “primitive–ego defense–mechanism by which a person unconsciously negates the existence of a disease or other stress-producing reality in his environment, by disavowing thoughts, feelings, wishes, needs, or external reality factors that are consciously intolerable.” Holden presents his state of denial in the way he tries to maintain his relationship with his deceased brother, Allie.
Mental Illness Seen In Holden Caulfield
496 Words | 2 PagesThis is demonstrated in the way that he obsesses over small details and has a tendency to overthink and worry about every decision he makes, leading him to be indecisive in his actions. Additionally, Holden exhibits physical symptoms of anxiety, such as trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, and profuse sweating. Last but not least his avoidance of things he was looking forward to and of things he had been dreading. For example, one scene in the novel that shows Holden as having anxiety is when he is waiting for Sally Hayes at the theatre. As he waits, he becomes increasingly anxious and overwhelmed by his emotions.
How Is Holden Caulfield Mental Illness
1957 Words | 8 PagesHolden 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.
How Does Holden Caulfield Influence The Catcher In The Rye
1891 Words | 8 PagesWhether it is his brother D.B. leaving him in a time where he was needed most, his younger brother Allie dying, or an older man possibly harassing Holden possibly copious times during his childhood, Holden is inevitably bound to succumb to these events and their impact on all dimensions and components of his life just like all humans. This concept does not just apply to this book; it applies to life in general. This is a world where the past shapes everything that everyone does; where people must learn from their mistakes, and this applies to all aspects of life, whether it is a government choosing to not enforce racial barriers after a brutal civil war, a college student remembering to save his/her essay after losing all of his/her information in a previous report, or a fictional human being, like Holden Caulfield carrying the lessons and effects of everything in his
First Impressions Of Holden Caulfield
428 Words | 2 PagesHolden Caulfield in the novel “The Catcher In The Rye” is a scrawny teen who loves his red hunting hat and can’t relate with anyone. His personality is reason he can’t relate, his personality sucks, it’s depressing, judgy, and sensitive. My first impression of him was that he sure complained a lot, and he says goddamn way to much, and he doesn’t care about himself. Holden is always talking about depression, every chapter he talks about being depressed, mostly when he remembers something that someone said. He gets depressed over the simplest things, he thinks to much about things, and he exaggerates situations.
Holden Caulfield Mental Illness
1023 Words | 5 PagesHolden Caulfield is a young kid who is struggling with his belonging and stance in life. When he was 13 his brother died, and it had a very long lasting effect on him. The most significant underlying cause for Holdens problematic behavior would be the death of his brother and how he and the family handled the loss. His fear of growing up and his idealized version of childhood are what's holding him back in life. Holden Caulfield is being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and PTSD.
Holden Caulfield Mental Illness Essay
861 Words | 4 PagesDuring the study of patient, Holden Caufield, we have diagnosed him with many illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder, Manic episodes, and PTSD as well as the beginning stages of anxiety and anger issues. Holden has also mentioned that in the past he has felt very lonely and suicidal. All of these medications will help Holden’s mental health drastically. Bipolar disorder is a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Manic episodes are caused when your mood shifts to mania or hypomania, you may feel euphoric, full of energy, or unusually irritable.
Catcher In The Rye Grief Analysis
656 Words | 3 PagesIn Holden’s mind becoming “the catcher in the rye “means that he can still catch Allie from falling off the cliff. This is relevant to Holden’s depression because everything around him is telling him to grow up but instead he runs away from it in fear that is will pull him farther apart from his relationship with his brother Allie. Holden is on the edge of becoming an adult which creates more pressure and leads him to
Examples Of Holden Being Depressed In Catcher In The Rye
728 Words | 3 PagesI was already sort of sorry I 'd let the thing start rolling, but it was too late now” (Salinger 19). This quote goes to show that Holden is trying to be a different person. He normally would accept a night with an escort but as stated in the quote he was so depressed he couldn 't even think about his decisions. A later quote shows that he doesn 't even use his real name he uses the name “Jim Steele”.
Theme Of Mental Illness In Catcher In The Rye
783 Words | 4 PagesThe 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.
Holden Caulfield And Bipolar Disorder In Catcher In The Rye
651 Words | 3 PagesHolden 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.
How Is Holden Caulfield Mental Illness
553 Words | 3 PagesHolden Caulfield is an extremely troubled individual with unparalleled depression. This all rooted from the slow and painful death of his younger brother, Allie Caulfield, to cancer at a young age. This has led him down a decreasing path in his life resulting in the expulsion of Holden from two boarding schools and the forming of an alcoholic addiction. After leaving his last boarding school, Pencey Prep, he went to New York where he went through a emotional rollercoaster. Overall his mental health is terrible and treatment is highly recommended with medication and therapy session's.
Holden Caulfield's Mental Illness In The Catcher In The Rye
366 Words | 2 PagesSickness 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.
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