OCD

The other day I took a survey on hand washing (yes, this is not a joke, hospitals have this kind of surveys) and I realized just what a freak I am. Well, I guess I always knew, it was just a refreshment.

This got me thinking about my hand-washing-habits, and oh-god even I shocked myself with what I found out:

• I easily wash my hands 20-25 times a day (at least)
• I have antibacterial solution on my backpack, my coat pocket, my car, my room and my purse. (sometimes more than 1)
  
• Every time I pass through one of the antibacterial solution dispenser in my hospital I wash my hands.
• I always wash my hands after seeing a patient (I don't have to touch them, just seeing them makes me want to wash)
• I hate it when sick and sneezing people shake my hand. I have a very strong impulse to "disinfect" afterwards, and I try not to touch anything with the "dirty" hand until I've cleaned it.
  
• I prefer antibacterial solutions or gel, but if none at hand I use soap and water
• I love the odor of isopropyl alcohol.
• I hate shaking kids hands. They are sticky and unclean to me.
• Whenever I read "hand washing instructions" I go over them in case something has changed in the "technique" or added new steps (oh yes, there is a right way to wash your hands, you dirty dirty people)
  
• I do this not because I really thing I can serve as vector for infections with my patients, but rather because I think I might get something from them (like that fever)
  

And so forth.
I like to pretend it's all for health reason, but deep inside me I know I do it because if I stop, the universe will colapse and we will all die. Wouldn't it?