Most teens who feel lonely often have trouble fitting in and also isolate themselves from society. During adolescent years many teens deal; with stress but not to the extent in which Holden does. In the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger Holden Caulfield is characterized as a young adult who is isolated from the people around him. Holden’s actions and risky behavior such as drinking and smoking show that he is dealing with Bipolar disorder, PTSD disorder and Anxiety disorder to.
Holden’s actions and unstable emotions display symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance and even suicide. In the article Bipolar Disorder written by Ann Marie T. Sullivan M.D It is proven that people who suffer from this disorder may abuse alcohol or harmful substances, have relationship problems and even perform very poorly in school or at work. In the novel Holden says “There wasn’t anything to do except smoke and drink.”(Salinger 86) Here we see that even though Holden is underage he is still involved in this risky behavior. Also, throughout the book Holden speaks about Pencey and how he was kicked out of school multiple times due to his grades and his lack of effort in most classes. People who carry Bipolar Disorder function poorly in school and at work. A common pattern that we see throughout the novel is that Holden always says that he is going to call Jane and ends up never doing so, and shows that Holden has trouble keeping a relationship/friendship. Both evidence from the article and the novel itself reveal that the way Holden handles his problems and emotions show that Holden is suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Holden’s past clearly shows that he is one who faces Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Children and young adults suffering from PTSD (Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder) re-live the trauma, have very high anxiety & orBipolar Disorder.
Holden’s p...