Examples Of Diagnosis In Catcher In The Rye

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. One of the diagnoses that Holden would most likely get would be depression. In the book Holden states, “…I was feeling sort of lousy. Depressed and all. I almost wished I was dead (Salinger [90]).” This can be proven that he has depression because the database Depression states that people have symptoms such as “persistent sad or empty mood… low energy… thoughts of death or suicide (Wastson and Wexler).” Holden is also shown smoking and drinking several times throughout the book and the database also states that abusing them is a risk factor for depression. Because of this the reader can assume that Holden is depressed.

Catcher in the Rye states, “Every time I came to the end of a block and stepped off the curb, I had this feeling that I’d never get to the other side of the street. I thought I’d just go down, down, down, and nobody would ever see me again (Salinger [197]).” He also states he’d sweat through all of his clothes. This is a sign of anxiety. According to Anxiety in Adolescents, symptoms of anxiety that Holden shows here are “thoughts about your safety… flushed skin or sweating (“Anxiety in Adolescents”).” Holden also has problems with school and uses caffeine and nicotine throughout Catcher in the Rye. The database states that “Stress at home, school… use of caffeine or nicotine products… drug or alcohol use (“Anxiety in Adolescents”).” These examples prove to the reader that Caulfield is most likely struggling with