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Analysis Holden Caulfield

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Analysis Holden Caulfield
Holden Caulfield’s Doctor Analysis

Patient: Holden Caulfield Doctor: Carolina Beltran Date: May 18, 2009

Abstract:
After studying the patient, Holden Caulfield, for several days in daily therapeutic sessions, I have concluded that the patient is suffering from Dysthemic Disorder. A person who has Dysthymic Disorder generally has had a variety of depressive symptoms for at least two years. Although Dysthymic Disorder does not have a clear cause one of the common contributing factors, which I believe is applicable to Holden, are traumatic experiences. I believe Holden’s depression began …show more content…
Not being able to move on with his life, he does not allow himself to be close to anyone, fearing that they too might leave him just like Allie did, thus, he alienates himself from society. Holden often complains about being surrounded by phonies. To him phonies are too typical, as well as superficial. While at Pency Prep he claims that the school was full of phonies, thus, that is one of the reason he dislikes the school The patient’s appearance is mainly that of the norm except for the hunting hat, which he mentions that he does not care about what people think of it. Although, his appetite is not normal, he usually does not eat. I am trying to help Holden resolve his problems, so that he may be able to lead a normal life …show more content…
Traumatic experiences like the death of his brother Allie has not allowed him to move on.“ I know he’s dead….just because somebody is dead you don’t stop liking them..”(171). This shows that Holden has not been able to move on with his life because Allie is still a main focus of his life even though he is not physically there. Holden does not want anything to change, he wants everything to stay the same. That is one of the reasons he likes the Museum of Natural History, because it will always remain the same, it represents stability and security to him.“…every time I’d get to the end of the block I’d make believe I was talking to my brother Allie I’d say to him ‘Allie don’t let me disappears’…when I’d reach the other side of the street without disappearing, I’d thank him”(198). Holden suffers from extreme loneliness, however he does not anyone to get close to him, I believe that, yes , Holden has a problem, but it can be cured by giving Holden support, so he can build confidence within himself, so that one day he can be ready to open up to
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