The five strangest phobias

Misophonia is a neurological condition in which common sounds such as chewing, breathing, or typing trigger intense emotional reactions, such as anger or anxiety. Those who suffer from it may experience extreme discomfort in noisy environments or during meals with others.

Omphalophobia is the irrational fear of belly buttons, both one's own and others. Those who suffer from it may avoid looking at or touching the belly button, and may experience anxiety in situations where belly buttons are visible, such as at the beach or in the gym.

This phobia involves the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth, causing choking or discomfort. Although rare, it can lead those affected to completely avoid this food and others with similar textures.

Ironically, this phobia with a very long name describes the fear of long words. It can cause anxiety in academic or professional contexts where the use of complex terms is frequent.

Optophobia is an extremely debilitating condition in which a person experiences intense fear when opening their eyes, often linked to traumatic experiences. Those who suffer from it may prefer dark environments and tend to avoid light.