How Is Holden Caulfield Mental Illness

54 million Americans have a mental disorder every year (Mental Health and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and how to Cope) . Holden Caulfield, a teenager in the novel The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, is going through one of the roughest times in his life. People may argue that Holden standing out from society is just his personality, however, Holden is depressed throughout the novel. He goes through multiple phases including failing school, getting drunk, and having suicidal thoughts. Depression is getting the best of Holden resulting in the lowest point in his life. Holden Caulfield has a mental illness because he can't get past Allie's death, he isn't communicating with his family, and he tries to isolate himself from society.

Holden is still not over his little brother’s passing. In the novel, Holden thinks he's speaking to Allie even though he's already dead. He stated, “I couldn't cross the road until Allie helped me” (Salinger #). This shows that Holden cant move on from Allie's death and that his depression is causing him to see things that don't exist. According to Szalavitz, substance abuse is a sign of depression (Rashness and Rumination: New Understanding About the Roots of Depression). This connects to the novel because Holden always wanted to drink. Although he's only seventeen, drinking is the only way Holden can distance himself from depression. He drinks to get his mind off of Allie and off of his sad life. The alcohol got to Holden and made his situation worse. Holden got so drunk that he started hallucinating and planning his very own funeral. In effect, Allies death and Holdens drinking makes matters worse by Holden not knowing how to handle

With Allie's death, everyone in the family was affected. This changed people behavior making it harder to be together. Holdens family is never around and he feels as if he can't rely on them. Salinger mentions in the novel how everyone has shifted from home and changed since the families passing. Holdens mom is not the same because, “...ever since Allies death she's always nervous” ( ). D.B., Holden's older brother, and Holdens dad both distance themselves from home by their job. D.B. went to Hollywood to work with movies and gave up being an author. Holden calls his brother a prostitute on page two of the novel, because he's selling his talent. Holdens dad ia a lawyer which greatly impact Holden's point of view on the profession. Sice Holden's father was never home, Holden hates lawyers. He believes they only help people for their satisfaction and not to help the individual. These reasons go on to show you that no one has time for Holden and that he's all alone. Holden considers committing suicide multiple times, which is another sign of a mental illness (Mental Illness and the family). He sees his failure as achievement and is even scared to confront his parents about failing college. With this in consideration, Holden spirals out of control and doesn't know who to go to for