I have this friend, he's kind of strange. He's really smart & nice but he is incredibly clingy. He doesn't have any friends besides me (I mean zero), and when I try to introduce him to some new people he gets really shy & awkward. He has no experience w/ girls (no sex, kiss, date) but does talk about them (not gay). Also, he thinks its cute or funny to talk in a baby voice a lot to me. I told him I don't like it, but will say in the baby voice "awwww, you don't think I'm cute? You don't love me?"
Now his mother I think maybe bipolar not to offend anyone bipolar but she is known to have hysterical tirades & be very overbearing.
Also he is a little overweight & self conscious that may explain the dating thing a little.
Is this some sort of a problem like he stopped progressing at a certain age? He also is interested in Harry potter & alice in wonderland & things like that & considering he has a Masters Degree in Engineering, that's a little weird.
Or am I wrong?
2006-09-16 08:42:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
As children, most reactions take place in the back of the brain in the amygdala, which is the emotional center. As we grow, that focus shifts to the frontal lobe where we become more aware of our behavior, gain more self control and make more decisions based on logic.
If your friend is old enough to have a Masters in Engineering, he should be at the frontal lobe stage, which usually happens in the early 20's for men. Since he's not, it's usually a sign that something traumatic happened right around the age that he's "stuck" at. For instance, if his behavior is that of a typical 10 year old, something probably happened then and his brain stopped growing forward in the maturing process as a defense mechanism.
The best thing for him to do would be to work out whatever issues have affected his childhood, accept that he no longer has control over them, learn to forgive anyone involved (including himself) and then he will begin to move forward. Just remember, he will be moving forward from where he left off. Hope that helps!
2006-09-16 08:58:16 · answer #1 · answered by dbackbarb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "infantile" immediately springs to mind!
It sounds like you've nailed it: he's shy, self-conscious, a little overweight and has a difficult mother.
Liking Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland aren't particularly signs of "arrested development". There are many (grown-up) adults, myself included, who find these books entertaining (the illustrations in the original Alice books are incredible too!); fantasy isn't just for children!
The baby talk is something else, however, especially since you've told him how you feel about it. If he continues, I'd tell him ONE time, I'm not talking to you when you talk like that. And then stick to it. He may throw a tantrum (!) but, as with a child, just ignore it (walk away if you have to) until he stops.
Good luck! He's lucky to have such a caring, supportive friend like you.
2006-09-16 15:57:16 · answer #2 · answered by pat z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like and probably is just immaturity but it may be aspergers disorder. Google that and see what you think. It mainly affects socialization and communication in a social manner. It is a form of autism. People who have aspergers are often very intelligent but don't progress well socially and may mature emotionally very slowly. They have a hard time making and keeping friends and can't relate to other people well. They can't follow social cues and have trouble understanding non-verbal communication.
I am sure there are a ton of people who go undiagnosed who have this because they are so smart they do well in school. Usually when a kid does well in school and doesn't mind not having friends, no one thinks that they may need treatment. Hope this helps!
2006-09-16 19:43:52 · answer #3 · answered by prettyinpunkk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend might be mildly autistic. This is usually expressed as social akwardness, a childlike attitude to life, and a tendancy to attach oneself to a few close friends. If he tends to be quite obsessive about things (i.e. likes things a certain way, doesn't like to go new places etc.) then it's clearer that he may be autistic. There are various parts of the austistic spectrum that your friend may be under.
2006-09-16 15:51:28 · answer #4 · answered by Maxx Power 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like I've said many times ....Baby talk and Harry Potter make strange bedfellows......
masters degree huh ?
sounds like the baby talk is mocking behavior toward his mom.......
hysterical overbearing .....bipolar....nothing said about his dad...absent? rageaholic ?
he can loose weight, knows his mom is a trip , has a masters degree.... is still psychologically controlled by mothers anger (probably toward his dad) and mis placed / directed toward your friend..........
Harry Potter in adults/ ok ! escapism ...fantasy is all about that right ?
ask your friend with the masters degree why he talks to you in baby talk >.......
usuallu this kind of thing is between parents and kids or is reserved for lovers......
and , like I said he may be mocking his mom by doing that .....
If you like him help him ......he needs friendship and a good counselor.......
2006-09-16 15:59:09 · answer #5 · answered by cesare214 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the possibility of autism, you may also want to look into a Dependent Personality Disorder in the DSM-IV
2006-09-16 15:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by Big Gee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The man has issues, he ought to seek counseling.
2006-09-16 15:48:33 · answer #7 · answered by Carol R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT'S CALLED REGRESSION.
2006-09-16 15:48:33 · answer #8 · answered by pandora the cat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋