Psychoanalysis of Holden Caulfield

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Recommended: Holden caulfield psychological profile

Untitled “BPD has a higher incidence of occurrence than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and is present in approximately 2% of the general public” (Johnston).Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is an emotional disorder that creates unstable behavior and stress in an individual. Holden Caulfield, from J.D. Salinger’s, 1948 novel, The Catcher in the Rye has been psychoanalyzed by many readers. Psychoanalysis is insightfully looking at a characters action and behavior to better understand them psychologically. By psychoanalyzing Holden Caulfield’s behavior and thoughts, it becomes evident that he has Borderline Personality Disorder caused by his childhood trauma and neglect, and portrayed through symptoms that damage his relations and himself. Holden’s Borderline Personality Disorder is caused by trauma and neglect during his childhood, and separation from family, all mostly circulating around the death of his younger brother, Allie (“Mayo Clinic”). Holden had a very traumatic childhood, because of the death Allie, who he constantly conveys his love and devotion to his dead brother. Holden, often does not seem to grasp that Allie is dead, and seems to bring out Allie’s spirit in objects. The red hunting cap, reminds Holden of Allie, because it is also red like Allie’s hair, Holden also carries this hat with him through the novel (Salinger 17). Another thing Holden carries with him that reminds him of Allie is Allie’s baseball mitten, Holden admits “to have it with me, in my suitcase” (39). This baseball mitten, seems to be the only thing of Allie’s that Holden owns, and reminds him fondly of who and how Allie was as a person, Holden admitting that it was in his suitcase, tells us that he travels with it and that it is a ... ... middle of paper ... ...Personality Disorder, take both medication and therapy (“National Institute of Mental Health”). Therapy in groups with similar Personality Disorders and also individual therapy a few months a year is also suggested. Holden though not known for taking any medications, it was found out at the end of the book that he is in therapy, and another recommended treatment, short term psychiatric Hospital. Holden is proven to have Borderline Personality Disorder, because of the causes, such as Allies death as childhood trauma and neglect. He also continuously shows the many symptoms related to BPD. Such symptoms as his behavior when alone or about to be left alone, and the insight into why he abuses alcohol and drugs and goes on spending binges, as well as self-injury. Holden qualified in many other symptoms as well, such as his frequent mood swings and impulsive behavior.

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