Examples Of Ptsd In Catcher In The Rye

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The main character, Holden from “The Catcher in the Rye” is presumed to be suffering from PTSD due to him going through a traumatizing event and later showing symptoms. PTSD is a serious medical condition that the person suffering from it, can not help, however there are treatments for it. PTSD stands for “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder”, It can affect anyone at any age. Most people who get it have lived through a traumatizing or dangerous even that damaged their mental psyche. Holden’s brother, Allie died and that affected him very negatively because him and Allie shared a very close bond with each other. Holden’s parents always have something better to do than spend time with him so after the incident Holden had nobody to support him. A …show more content…

Holden wants to commit suicide but he doesn’t because he wouldn’t want people gawking at his dead body. Holden wasn’t very sexual even though he knew other guys his age were very sexual. PTSD affects the sexual drive of those who suffer from it. When Holden had the prostitute, Sunny in his room he wasn’t feeling it. Before she was there he was thinking that he would have sex no problem just like everyone else his age, however when she was there he shut down and didn’t want to advance. He said “I just didn’t want to do it. I felt more depressed than sexy.” (page 107 Salinger). Holden had occasional outbursts of anger towards other people. In his dorm at Pencey, Holden threw a punch at his roommate, Stradlater for dating his old crush, Jane. “And then I tried to sock him, with all my might, right smack in the toothbrush, so i would split his goddamn throat open, only I missed.” (page 49 Salinger). Holden got caught up in a moment of rage that was sparked by Stradlater not treating Jane the way he would like. He was overpowered and Holden got a little roughed up. Holden was always in a state of aggression, when he was leaving Pencey he shouted “Sleep tight, ya morons!” (page 59 Salinger). This is called “Hyperarousal” and is common for people with