What metaphors are used in It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini?

It's literally like breaking away from a monster -- the further I get from thinking about email and Dr. Minerva and the fact that I'm going to have to leave here and go back to Executive Pre-Professional, the calmer I get. And the closer I get to the brain maps, to this little stupid thing I can do, the calmer I get.
-- Narrator (Chapter 44 paragraph 5)

Importance: Walkling down the hall becomes a metaphor for walking away from Craig's problems and closer to a situation he can control and one that makes him happy.