Phobias can be debilitating for those who suffer from them. They can cause panic attacks, extreme anxiety, and even physical illness. Some phobias, however, are stranger than others. Here are ten of the strangest phobias captured on camera:.

1. Papaphobia

Papaphobia is the fear of the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church. In 2015, a man with papaphobia disrupted a mass being delivered by Pope Francis in the Philippines.

The man, who was later identified as a Protestant pastor, ran towards the Pope and was quickly subdued by security personnel.

2. Nomophobia

Nomophobia is the fear of being without a mobile phone or experiencing a loss of mobile phone connectivity. In 2018, a woman in China became stuck in a drain while trying to retrieve her dropped phone.

The woman, who was not injured but was embarrassed, was eventually rescued by firefighters.

3. Pogonophobia

Pogonophobia is the fear of beards. In 2014, a woman in New York City sued a restaurant after being denied service because of her pogonophobia.

The restaurant’s owner had a beard and the woman claimed that his presence made her anxious and uncomfortable.

4. Arachibutyrophobia

Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. In 2015, a video of a man with arachibutyrophobia went viral on social media.

The man, who was visibly distressed, struggled to eat a peanut butter sandwich and eventually resorted to drinking water to try and wash the peanut butter down.

5. Ablutophobia

Ablutophobia is the fear of bathing or washing. In 2011, a woman in the United States made headlines after not bathing for 13 years.

The woman, who suffered from ablutophobia, claimed that she had not bathed since the birth of her son and that she was afraid of water.

6. Turophobia

Turophobia is the fear of cheese. In 2014, a woman in the United Kingdom was filmed by her friends as they tried to convince her to try a piece of cheese.

The woman, who suffered from turophobia, became agitated and anxious at the thought of eating cheese.

7. Heliophobia

Heliophobia is the fear of sunlight. In 2012, a woman in the United States made headlines when she claimed that she had not left her basement in 6 years because she was afraid of the sun.

The woman, who suffered from heliophobia, had covered all of the basement’s windows with blankets and would only venture out at night.

8. Ostraconophobia

Ostraconophobia is the fear of shellfish. In 2015, a man in the United States filed a lawsuit against a restaurant after he was served clam chowder that he claimed triggered his ostraconophobia.

The man, who had a severe allergic reaction, claimed that the restaurant had not properly disclosed the presence of shellfish in the chowder.

9. Coulrophobia

Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns. In 2016, a video of a man with coulrophobia went viral on social media. The man, who was attending a circus performance, became visibly agitated and anxious when a clown approached him.

10. Optophobia

Optophobia is the fear of opening one’s eyes. In 2013, a man in the United Kingdom made headlines after claiming that he had not opened his eyes for more than 30 years.

The man, who suffered from optophobia, claimed that he preferred to keep his eyes closed because it made him feel safe.