Recently I visited my sister and I became aware that she is OCD, ( obsessive compulsive disorder). She described her symptoms to me, and I realized that I had exhibited similar symtoms when I was younger.

I don't exhibit any symptoms now, except maybe when building.

Every plane that I build MUST be more perfect than the plane before.

It is getting tough to do. I'm getting older. My eyes aren't as good as they were. And the last plane was pretty darn good.

I spend more and more time building a plane.

I break every task down into as many smaller tasks as possible to ensure the best technique possible is utilized.

It is as if my goal in life is to build the absolute most perfect model ever concieved.

I still enjoy it. And I love the way my planes fly. And I am very proud of them.

But I could certainly appreciate some of you ensuring that I am not alone.

Is this OCD, or a normal and healthy attitude? Or at least a health way to harness OCD? Are we all OCD?

King,at one time i was working toward a PHD in psychology.No,you are not suffering from OCD.You like many out there really enjoy this hobby.This is a very healthy interest,don't worry to much about it,if you think you have it bad for planes,heck,i have been at this for over 30 years.It is a sport of sort,consider the people that thrive on other activities such as auto racing,football,etc.,they spend thousands of dollars attending and participating in these events if they can.Do those people have OCD?I don't beleive so.

On the question that every plane you build must be better than the last is only normal.You like many others are very proud of the planes that you build,and it shows in the work you do.Heck,post some pictures here and show us some of your planes,I would love to see them!

"Normal" - "Healthy".... Boy, Slade, are you ever in DENIAL!!!

Good luck,
Dave Olson
(fellow OCD'r, but I can quit any time I want.)

I think this part of your post says it all. If it ever stops being fun and you still do as you describe, THEN you can say you have a problem. Until then, enjoy yourself without question.

It's a hobby. If it makes you happy to obsess then obsess.

IMHO it would be a disorder if you never finished a plane. In otherwords, if you become so obsessed and detail oriented that you never finish the project, then you might have a problem.

Its not a disorder unless it inhibits "normal life" (no such thing) outside of your hobby! If you said you were passing up dates with Playboy's finest to work on airplanes, or shutting the door to your workspace "exactley right" 17 times in a row, then you may need to get a little help.

It sounds to me like your asimply a proficent, goal oriented builder. The perfect model, may be a white elephant, but thats OK, some goals a better to be strived for and not achieved.

LETS SEE SOME PICS OF YOUR GEORGOUS PLANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you also enjoy flying them and trying to be a bit better at that each year also?

Just curious ~

Ernie

Uh, oh..... maybe I need to go see a shrink. My planes never get finished, even after a crash. They just keep going, and going, and going, and going.....
And I do close the door to my workshop 17 times to get it closed right.... (it sticks [:'(] gotta fix it one of these days, but planes take priority)

Scientific American has a new publication, "MIND", which looks into OCD this month.
Therapy, medication and a last resort surgery are used for control of OCD, with therapy working well.

You don't suffer from OCD, you suffer from PIW (Pride In Workmanship)

To answer your original question without addressing you specifically, yes, building is excellent therapy as are most creative and constructive pursuits.

If your whole world goes to hell if EVERYTHING isn't in a certain place on your workbench or the glue isn't at a certain temperature you have OCD. If this isn't the case you’re just a perfectionist, join the club.