Catcher In The Rye Psychology Quotes

Behavioral Notes
Behavioral Notes Significance
“I felt like jumping out the window, I probably would’ve done it, too…” (p117)
“I was sort of crying. I don’t know why.” (p59)
“When you’re feeling very depressed, you can’t even think.” (p102)
“I started talking, sort of out loud, to Allie.” (p110)
“...but you could tell they didn’t want me around, so I let them alone.” (p136)
“I swear to God I’m crazy. I admit it.” (p138)
“I was too drunk to give a damn.” (p168)
“I got feeling so lonesome and rotten, I even felt like waking Ackley up.” (p56)
“Depressed and all. I almost wished I was dead.” (p101)
“Finally, I sat up in bed and smoked another cigarette.” (p112)
“You really have to be in the mood for that stuff.” (p130)
“I’m in bad shape. I’m in
lousy shape.” (p146)
“I was smoking too damn much, I had hardly any wind.” (p194)
“God, what a jerk I was.” (p114)
“I hate actors. They never act like people. (p130)

This proves that if Holden had the opportunity to kill himself, he would do it. Suicidal thoughts can be a symptom of PTSD.
Holden had a lot of built up emotions and not knowing why or how to handle them is a symptom of PTSD
He’s admitting that he has depression and he knows it is affecting his mental health.
Depression is also a symptom of PTSD.
Holden is talking to someone that he knows is gone. The feeling of loneliness that he is feeling is another indicator of PTSD.
He often feels alone and he thinks that the other people in his life do not want him there, which adds to his emotion of loneliness, which is an indicator of PTSD.
Holden acknowledges the fact that he’s not thinking straight. He just knows that his head isn’t on straight. So he admits to himself that he is crazy.
Holden resorts to drinking to hide from his problems. He gets drunk almost every night, which is not good for you (especially at 17). In fact this probably adds to his feeling of loneliness and depression, while in turn lead me to believe that holden has PTSD.
Waking Ackley up is an all time low for Holden. When he decides to wake him up, he is feeling super lonely and/or bored. Again, lonelyness is an indicator of PTSD.
This is another example of a suicidal thought/tendency that Holden was having as a result of his
PTSD.
Holden resorts to cigarettes to deal with his pain, similar to how he unresponsibily handles alcohol. This inability to control his behavior around these substances seems very self destructive because he knows they cannot be good for him, especially at his age. Self destructive behavior is another indicator of PTSD.
Holden doesn’t do the things that he used to because he is never in the mood anymore. This is because of his depression which is a symtom of PTSD.
His depression is causing him to feel unmotivated to do things and he doesn’t get pleasure from doing many activities anymore. This in turn has then led to his lazy habits. Holden not feeling plessure from evetns anymore is another symbol of PTSD.
Holden is always smoking to deal with his issues that it physically made him weak. This is a self destructive behavior because it has taken a physical toll on him. Again, self destructive behavior is an indicator of PTSD.
Holden begins to see himself differently and starts to accept the fact he’s a jerk.
Holden does not find any interest in things like plays and matignees because he has lost interest in many things that he used to enjoy to do. Loss of enjoyment during activities is a strong indicator of depression, which is in turn a symptom of PTSD.

Verbal Notes
Verbal Notes Significance
“I went over and took a look at my stupid face in the mirror.” (p50)
“Boy, did I feel rotten.” (p54)
“Every time I thought about it, I felt like jumping out the window.” (p55)
“Besides I sort of needed a little vacation.” (p58)
“Most people have hardly any smile at all, or a lousy one.” (p62)
“Really ugly girls have it tough.” (p95)
“God, I hate that stuff.” (p97)
“Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling. I was feeling a lot more depressed than sexy.” (p106)
“Finally, I sat up in bed and smoked another cigarette.” (p112)
“It always felt like it was raining outside, even if it wasn’t…” (p132)
“It's a nervous habit.” (p144)
“I hate living in New York and all.” (p145)
“Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate.” (p187)
“I figured if they caught me, they caught me. I almost wished they did, in a way” (p199)
“I had a headache and I felt lousy. I even had a stomach-ache if you want to know the truth.” (p203)
“That kid of stuff’s happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid.”(p213)
“I didn’t care much, though.” (p84)
“They killed me.” (p96)
“I couldn’t think of anybody to call up.” (p66)
“People always clap for the wrong things.” (p94)

Holden is looking down and feeling really bad about his own face.
This is an example of depression or extreme emotions. Both of these are indicators of PTSD.
Holden needs to spend time working on his confidence and putting his best foot forward. This is just a life skill he my not have aquired yet.
This is a suicidal thought which is a symptom of many mental disorders. I think Holden should be prescribed anti-depressants until the suicidal thoughts or for a couple months to a year.
Holden is going to use the time in the institution to take some timr off from his thoughts.
Holden will spend time learning to appreciate and realize that genuine smiles do exist.
Holden seems very hurt by society which causes him to have a negative view on society and on other people.
Another example that he has a negative view on society. He seems to hate everything.
Example of Holden’s insecurities and lack of self confidence.
Holden is going to be in rehabilitation for two months to deal with his addiction to cigarettes.
Rain is what makes a day gloomy, and Holden sees everyday that way.
Holden is going to eliminate all of these small and nervous
habits.
After he is released in the Fall, he is going to attend a new school that is not in the city.
This is an example of Holden’s struggles with ADHD because he cannot concentrate.
If Holden had been caught by his parents, they would have gotten him help sooner.
Holden is feeling physically ill due to the fact that he has a poor diet, bad habits, and is struggling with mental issues.
Holden is feeling harassed by a former teacher, and he thinks about the past and how it has affected him.
This is an example of Holden’s attitude and they way he isn’t interested in much.
This is repeated multiple times throughout the novel on different occasions. Things “kill” Holden whenever they are sad or dramatic.
Holden is feeling detached from everyone in his life that he has no friends or family members that he feels he can call.
This is an example of the way that Holden views other people with his negative attitude. He doesn’t always understand why people do certain things.

Symbolic Notes
Symbolic Notes Significance
“I wrote about my brother Allie’s baseball mitt.” (p43)
“I put on this hat I’d bought in New York this morning.” (p21)
“She took them right out of my hand and then she put them in the drawer of the night table.”(p181)
“He wrote me a note saying he wanted to see me before I got home.”(p6)
“You want me trimma tree for ya?” (p167)

Allie’s baseball mitt is symbolic because it is something that Holden has to remember Allie by. He takes care of the mitt and doesn’t share it with many people.
The hat is a symbol of independence for Holden. It was the first thing mentioned in the novel that Holden had boughten by himself and he wore it proudly.
Phoebe’s record is an example of Holden’s close relationship with his siblings. Phoebe is very excited when she gets it, and she keeps the broken pieces because she received it from Holden.
Mr.Spencer is the first person in the novel to show any interest in Holden’s life. He seems to care enough about him to invite him to his house and to try and motivate him.
The Christmas tree is a symbol for the way Holden is reconnecting with his old life and the people in it. It was a tradition that he had shared with Sally Hayes that he had forgotten about.

Diagnoses
Holden has been diagnosed with depression, ADHD, and PTSD.
Treatment Plan and Release Schedule
Holden will be in the psychological institution for six months.
Will have to meet with mentors daily.
Visiting hours from 3-6pm everyday.

After Care Requirements
Holden will be taking Cymbalta for six months post-release.
Will have to attend weekly teen support group.