Upon spending hours speaking with my patient during our therapy sessions. I am under the impression that my patient, Holden Caulfield, is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old male teenager, who has a difficult time dealing with the death of his younger brother. Having to struggle through that tragedy, he has problems behaving in a socially acceptable way. Based on my analysis on Holden, he shows symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. .
Along with the causes of Borderline Personality Disorder Holden demonstrates many symptoms that need to be addressed. The first symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder Holden demonstrates is suicidal behavior. One can never know if a suicide threat is serious or not but they should never be taken lightly. In the website of National Institute of Mental Health, it states that "Self-injurious behavior includes suicide and suicide attempts, as well as self-harming behaviors"("BPD"). While Holden is alone in a New York hotel room, he says, "What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window. I probably would've done it, too, if I'd been sure somebody'd cover me up as soon as I landed"(Salinger 104). Despite the fact that his reason of not jumping out the window is a little strange, it shows that he can control himself in this situation, but maybe not in other situations. Along with his suicidal thoughts, Holden also shows self-harming behavior. Some self-harming behaviors may be life threatening, Holden prefers to drink away the pain. He tried to drink away his health and problems. Sadly, Holden has yet to realize that hiding his problems behind alcohol will bring him greater problems than before. This convinces me a bit more that Holden might be suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder.
Holden has a difficult time managing his thoughts and emotions, due to his Borderline Personality Disorder.