Catcher In The Rye Psychiatric Analysis English Literature Essay

Catcher In The Rye Psychiatric Analysis English Literature Essay At the time of telling his story, Holden is in a patient in a mental hospital. He is telling his story to an unnamed listener. Pretend that you are a highly respected psychiatrist who is listening to Holden’s account. It is your responsibility to write a report on the mental stability of patient to determine whether or not he is fit for release. Below this is the standard psychiatric report sheet that you must fill out to examine Holden’s state of mind. Your evidence must be well documented and complete. Refer to specific incidences. You will need to research emotional depression, its causes, effects and treatments. (You might try searching ‘manic behavior†.) Account for the possible causes of Holden’s breakdown and suggest possible treatments. Remember, a person’s freedom depends on your professional judgment. Holden’s father is a lawyer who. He seems to be rather strict and very interested in appearances he shows this by making sure t hat Holden stays in exclusive prep schools, whether he has to to be or not. He never got to know Holden because of this. His mother is mentioned as being â€Å"nervous as hell†, having frequent headaches and sitting up smoking most nights. All of it is blamed on her never getting over Allie’s death. Holden never got to know his parents because he was for the most part sent to boarding schools. He never had a chance at developing a healthy relationship with his parents. Holden’s family is obviously very important to him. At the beginning of his account he begins with talking about his parents and his brother. Holden negatively criticizes them to conceal the fact that he truly loves them. Holden is constantly being sent from one boarding school to a new. The emotional distance between him and his parents strengthens his general alienation from everyone. STANDARD PSYCHIATRIC RELEASE FORM (page 2) 2. Sibling Relationships / Rivalries He has a good relationship with his sister, Phoebe. He loves his sister and admires her. He wants to protect Phoebe from the cruel world. Phoebe understands what Holden is talking about and what he is going through. Holden feels the constant need to protect her from the â€Å"cruel world’ around her. Phoebe is concerned about Holden’s future and what will happen to him when their dad finds out Holden got kicked out of boarding school (pg 164 Salinger). When Holden is going to run away to the west, she tells him that if he goes, she will too (pg 207 Salinger). After this Holden seems to be able to grasp the reality that she will be destroying her life if she runs with him, and decides that he will go home with her. This is the only time that Holden put another person ahead of himself and acknowledge that he has the capacity to change the lives of others. This judgment of his shows that there may be hope that Holden has the capability to heal into a fully functioning adult subsequently to his re-entry into the world after exiting the mental hospital.