need help understanding

my husband is one into self injury. He is constantly piercing every part he can. He pierces himself and then after awhile he gets bored with it and takes it out. I am trying to understand this behavior and why he is compelled to do this. I appreciate any help

why do you think this is self injury? i'm not saying it isn't, but it could be just, well, sort of a "hobby" i guess. it really depends on his reasons for doing it.

there are many motivations for self injury--it's a highly individual thing. consequently it's really impossible to just give a brief explanation here. however, the secret shame website (http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html) is a good place to start for general self injury info. you could also check out the friends and family forum on bodies under seige (http://busmail.org/phpBB/index.php). this is an area where friends and family members of self-injurers can ask questions and get support. you have to join to post, but anyone can read.

He has told me that this is a mood that he gets. He never leaves the piercings in but just pierces then removes it. He has also told me that he does that instead of cutting. That is why I thought it was self injury. Perhaps you can help me to understand

Please, I ask that you do not take this as an insult but in all the other forums you post "all" the things your husband is doing or has done, have you, yourself sought out therapy? Have you considered getting any professional help to "understand" this and cope or help your husband through this? In a marriage both need to work through this kind of stuff you have mentioned in this and the other forums, it is not going to work out by it self or by going to online support groups, (you both need professional help) though they are great sources for extra info and such, the bottom line is to seek a pdoc that can work through this with both of yours co-operation.
I am wishing you lots of luck, and please feel free to come here and chat with us, I am sure the others can give you their views on this situation (forgive my mispellings) and the members here are really great to talk with
Take care and stay well,
"darkeyes"

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

One more website that I find helpful is this one:
http://www.siari.co.uk/

There are lots of reasons why people do it. Maybe you could ask him to look at these websites with you and tell you what feels right to him? The secret shame site has a good list of some of the reasons as well as information for loved ones.

Let us know what else we can do to help you.