Dysthymia of Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye

Holden Caulfield was admitted into Long Island Jewish Hospital, Mental Institution via. The Adolescent Pavilion on January 28’“ of 1972 at the age of seventeen for approximately seventy six hours, Upon Mr, Caulfield’s stay at the Adolescent Pavilion, he was diagnosed with Dysthymia, otherwise known as Persistent Depressive Disorder. This stage of depression was largely impacted by the lost of Holden’s younger brother, Allie, at the sight of leukemia. “Depression is commonly initiated by a major loss or sudden change in one’s life” (“Psychiatric Report”).

Loosing Allie for Holden was a major turning point in Holden‘s life that caused recalcitrant emotional and behavioral effects and greatly dominated the young adolescent in whom Holden was to become. Allie seemed to be as Holden explains one of the only people Holden felt sincere towards prior to his death.

The lost of Allie lead to increased, “withdrawn from society, loss of motivation, persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, restlessness, and continually suicidal thoughts” (“Psychiatric Report”) Allie’s death has shown great traumatic behaviors within’ Holden such as the constant murmuring to Allie’s transparent presence that seems to follow along with Caulfield according to his recognition and Holden mentally rewinding to the year in which Allie passed, when Holden was thirteen as if it were brutal or restraining to move forward from that time, “I’m seventeen now and sometimes I act like I’m about thirteen,“  Holden admits in times of therapy, showing a pleading desire to go back to the year Allie passed as if he were almost hoping to bring Allie back or to delete the moment in which Allie passed.

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Another sign of Holden’s trauma was manifested through Holden’s peculiar mental encounterships with Allie as he recalls statements such as, “ Allie, don’t let me disappear. Allie, don’t let me disappeari. Please Allie,”  Holden exhibits not only a fear of letting go his brother but a distinguished phobia that somehow he’ll end up like his brother, maybe dead of simply just in another state, somewhere non-existent.

Other symptoms of Holden’s DysLhymia have been social withdrawn and isolation. Holden has shown an ongoing reluctantly to participate in school spirit oriented events such as pep rallies and athletic games. When asked for his contribution, Holden simply stated he rather be, “way up on Thomsen Hill, instead of down at the garnet” it is evident that the pain inflicting upon Holden in loosing Allie resulted in a deep routed fear of loosing others he may connect with, therefore Holden remains isolated from those surrounding him As Holden’s depression began to grow and become more conflictual, Holden began to show signs of identity crisis, showing odd behavior and personal thoughts that made it evident he was in a search to find the part of him that had been lost after loosing Allier Holden‘s lost of one’s self starts with strange introductions to new people by illegitimate names such as, “Rudolf Schmidt,” and “Jim Steele.”

In an attempt to fulfill these severe symptoms on Dysthymia, it seems Holden has searched for long term contentment in the involvement of physical harming and unprotected sex acts. Holden shares his experience in attempting unprotected sexual intercourse with a prostitute, and even shares stories such as watching strange couples in their sexual encounterings. It is clear, Holden’s odd sexuality preferences are in attempt to appease his broken heart as during one of his sexual encounterships Holden even states, “ I felt more depressed than sexy.”  Holden’s infatuation with explicit behaviors also consist of peculiar statements such as, “l’m probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw.” Due to the provided symptoms of Dysthymia and suicidal ideations such as, “ WhatI really felt like was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window.  I suggest that Holden Caulfield receive a prescription for 25 milligrams of Abilify for until his symptoms of depression modify. Holden is also prescribed ongoing therapy until notice is received, for twice a week and an hour per day.