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Mental Illness Seen In Holden Caulfield

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PREWRITING Taylor Owen Research Paper Mr Williams 5/15/23 Mental Illness Seen in Holden Caulfield: The Catcher in the Rye Analysis Holden Caulfield’s thoughts and behavior in “The Catcher in the Rye” exemplify symptoms commonly associated with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Firstly, he struggles with an intense feeling of sadness and loss, indicating feelings of depression. Holden also frequently worries about his future and the uncertainties of life, which can be seen as symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, his experiences with death, specifically the passing of his younger brother, Allie, and witnessing a suicide, contribute to the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder . Moreover, Holden struggles with feelings of disconnection and …show more content…

He exhibits a wide range of symptoms that would lead a mental health professional to diagnose him with severe anxiety. Porrey also states multiple indicators of Severe Anxiety, which include “Worry…Avoidance…[and] Physical Symptoms”. First and foremost, Holden is constantly consumed with worry and fear. He becomes overwhelmed by the idea of growing up and facing the challenges of adulthood, his thoughts being consistently scattered and jumbled. This 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. He even contemplates leaving the theatre and never seeing Sally again. Holden’s anxiety is evident from the start of the scene, as he begins

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