One of my best friends growing up, and still is (I am 36) is a 32 year old male that still acts like a 15 year old.
When I say 15 I don't mean hormonal, horny, bad a$$, boy trying to be a man. I mean the super dependent, babyish, fit throwing, scared out of his wits, boy that acts kinda like a man.
He has OCD, Phobia's I cant count, Social awkwardness, and fear of being alone. This guy is successful, wealthy, smart - bordering on mad genius, handsome, in great shape, and kind to a too-trusting default.
However, he lived with his parents till 25, he bought a house, no kidding, 2 blocks away and he walks there every day to take a shower, eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He still has birthday parties his mom throws every year complete with Star Trek or space themes. She invites tons of people, but only the same 4 people that knew him from High School keep coming back.
We never even liked one another in school, and the only reason we are friends, is cause he once called my brother when we were 19, to come with him to a casino. My brother hated him in HS and was totally mean to him on the phone. So I took the phone and apologize to him, and he asked me to go. I was bored, and I went. Since that night its like he is a parasite. For the next 15 years he was a surrogate son/pet... Its strange to call him a friend cause I don't really consider him as such, but more a burden. Sad I know, why are we still friends? It's like I feel if I completely cut him off, something bad will certainly happen and its gone on so long that its more normal to me than not. Up until 5 years ago, I had to go with him to clients, movies, dinner, watch shows at certain times, had to console him if someone at work yelled at him, and be their if his parents went anywhere with out him.
When I started having kids I had to put a stop to it and it was sudden, with out explanation. He kinda went crazy, and then he upped his dependency on his parents who are now in their late 80's. I really dont know what he is going to do when they pass. I guess my ex-husband will have to take on another pet. I know when I broke contact he was threatening suicide, and cried, and had fits, and threw things I gave him out his window. I just ignored him. After a year of the childish pouting, he finally started contacting me again, and we are hesitantly communicating and visiting again. However I do NOT bring my kids anywhere near him yet.
The guy has two therapists, two doctors he sees 2 times a week, and is on nameless medications. Its really really really sad. We, and by we that means everyone that knows him. Have tried all we can to help and break some of this stuff but its never worked. He constantly reverts back to this childlike state. I think once you enable someone for that length of time, they are too set in there ways to change properly. It just changes into another issue they come up with.