Is it normal my boyfriend chews/destroys everything

My boyfriend has a really weird habit of chewing on anything he can. Pencils, pens, his knuckles, his cheeks/lips, tooth picks, rubber, wood, cords, paint, bracelets, drywall, wall paper, etc.

He has basically eaten every pair of earbuds he’s ever owned, and wraps his knuckles like a boxer now to keep from chewing them. I keep a constant supply of gum on me every time I see him but he is honestly like a dog with the chewing.

He also has a habit of destroying the house/furniture, his wooden bed frame he tore the posts off and chewed through, the paint and drywall is stripped from the wall behind the bed because he has insomnia and rips at his walls at night. Even in his sleep (which he only sleeps like 4 hours every other night, he’s an ENT surgeon) he chews his wrists.

Would it be inhumane to use a surgical mask as a muzzle...? He wants to move in together... oddly enough he has great teeth. He’s 29

Voting Results
15% Normal
Based on 20 votes (3 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 21 )
  • mathewdavis133

    Your boyfriend is possessed by something Evil. Get him Exorcised before he moves in with you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Running_with_scissors

    Get this guy some rawhide's

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • That’s actually not a bad idea!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • MrDexter

    This is quite common. Fraud believed it was linked to being removed from breast feeding too early.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Boojum

    Yeah, moving in with a boyfriend who chews and claws random stuff while he's sleeping sounds like a wonderful idea.

    When you say he's 27, I guess that's in human years? A three year-old Dobermann is still quite young. He might grow out of it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • RoseIsabella

      I bet a three year old Doberman is probably easier to train.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • gwxnn

    He probably has a sensory related issues. I've struggled with similar problems since I was a baby. Has he tried using chewelry? A lot of them are marketed as teethers but there are more and more companies making them for adults and you can actually find some pretty subtle ones

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Canzet

    Was your boyfriend a beaver or woodchuck in a past life?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Perhaps he can be weened off of it by narrowing down the things he chews on first, like sticking to chewing gum, rubber, and cords.

    Then from there reduce and eliminate.

    Even if he has great teeth now, when he gets older his teeth may get weaker, and be more susceptible to cracks and chips.

    Plus there's the health risks of him swallowing something he shouldn't eat.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Pumpurrnickel

    That's not normal at all. In your situation I would never date him. He has some serious problems.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • rayb12

    Use muzzle as a muzzle. Your bf sounds like a doggy

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Nickvey

    thats some real mental issues he has , probable hates his work. thing is doctors only look at the time they have invested in being a doctor and would rather kill themselves than to start over and be happy.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • I wouldn’t say he hates his work, but he definitely has a lot of stress and pressure on himself from it

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • RoseIsabella

    Aww Hell naw! I'm not down with living with the human equivalent of a dog with behavioral issues. By the way eating non food things is called pica. I personally think it's kinda gnarly. What if he destroys your stuff?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Pica! That’s the word I was trying to remember. And I doubt he would go after my stuff, but he would go after the home we shared

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • RoseIsabella

        Eww. Yeah, that sounds awful. I wouldn't even want a dog like that to be honest.

        Does he have any interest in correcting his behavior?

        Comment Hidden ( show )
          -
        • He’s tried stopping before and actually picked up a bit of a drinking habit. He doesn’t have a lot of time not at work, I really hope he doesn’t chew while at work atleast, so I always feel a little guilty giving him any negativity when he is home. He’s always had an addictive personality. I guess it’s better than smoking or drinking right?

          Comment Hidden ( show )
            -
          • RoseIsabella

            I bet you could find someone better.

            Comment Hidden ( show )