Mental Analysis on Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger´s The...

Today in the United States, according the Nation Institute of Mental Health, , almost one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year, and one in seventeen adults are suffering from mental disorders that can be considered serious, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, panic disorder, and post traumatic stress disorders (Health Care Service Corporation) (The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America). J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, provides the narrative of a young adult, Holden Caulfield, who I believe shows many symptoms of several different mental disorders. In this essay, I will be providing examples straight from The Catcher in the Rye†¦show more content†¦He also mentions that he is always feels lonely and has a constant urge to commit suicide, which is a severe symptom of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and many other mental diseases and disorders. I also b elieve that these symptoms and disorders can be kick-started by a traumatic event. For Holden, this would be the death of his little brother, Allie. The death of Allie could cause Holden to idolize those who have the same characteristics as his kid brother. For example, since Allie died young, Holden acts more generous and kind to children than he does to adults or people his age. This is also why Holden idolizes his little sister, Phoebe, because she shares any characteristics with Allie, including his red hair. Allie’s red hair might also be another reason that Holden cherishes his red hunting cap so much; Holden described Allie’s hair as being extremely red, so the redness of the hunting cap might resemble the redness of Allie’s and Phoebe’s hair, so when Holden wears the cap, he can pretend that he is more like them. However, it can be argued that Holden’s extreme emotions are typical of any teenager going through the transition from being a ch ild to an adult. 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