The Catcher in the Rye

I managed to read this book in less than 24 hours. There were breaks but they mostly consisted of sleeping and eating. What a capturing novel. A summary of the plot is that this boy named Holden Caulfield (strange name) keeps getting kicked out of prestigious boys academies due to lack of motivation to strive for academic excellence. He, similar to a few friends I have met along the way, realize their disinterest in the topics that school makes us learn about and sees no reason to pursue them.
Holden's interests are: criticizing the other boys he lives with and analyzing people connected to him such as professors, girls (one in particular), and his little sister Pheobe.
After reading about perfectionism, I would diagnose Holden as being a perfectionist who is both inwardly and outwardly focused. First, I see him as being outwardly focused because he is constantly evaluating those around him and does not think that they ever meet his standards. He is never satisfied when he succeeds at something because he does not understand his motivations. He also thinks that everyone is judging him. People who are inwardly focused think of themselves as"fundamentally flawed and in danger of being discovered." These people find social situations very threatening and stressful because they think that their peers expect perfection of them and feel that they always fail in these situations. Holden's many comments about believing that his peers, professors, ex-girlfriends' parents, and his own parents, reveal that he sees them as expecting perfection.
Holden may also be bi-polar as a characteristic trait of this disability is the urge to call people at very random times such as very late in the night. Holden actually does this to a girl that he knows through a friend. She is displeased.
Pheobe is a staple person to Holden. He enjoys her company in an almost creepy way. She loves him back as she tries to get him to take her with him when Holden plots to escape from the wrath of his parents finding out about his most recent expulsion. Holden does not plan very wisely and is constantly making quick decisions without thinking twice. Although I do that, I also think twice about most actions which prevents many downfalls. Since Holden does not think twice, his actions are irresponsible and the reader is left feeling lost right along side with him. The lack of direction in Holden's life seems to be the main reason that he has so many mental issues. Or is it the other way around??
Although Holden's character could have many possible mental disabilities, it is easy to relate to his character. Everyone seems to have certain traits that are similar to Holden and reading about him taking these traits to the extreme is soothing. It makes our mental health seem not so bad.