[Verified Answer]: Patrick has an intense fear of germs

Patrick has an intense fear of germs. He continually experiences thoughts about contracting an illness by encountering things in the environment, such as doorknobs or seats in public places. His intense fear of germs has resulted in repetitive hand washing. He describes brief relief after hand washing but, because his thoughts about contamination keep returning, he states that he “cannot help but wash again for hours a day.” Both of his hands are red, raw, and cracked and he had to leave his job because of his fear of sitting down in public places.