Different people experience this phobia differently, some people cringe when they even see images of feet, some don't like to see other people's feet, or when somebody tries to touch their feet.

Some are anxious and nervous when somebody talks about feet. It has been stated that this phobia, if left untreated, can become extremely illogical, and can affect a person's mental well-being. The fear can have several side effects like many people don't wear sandals, or prefer wearing socks all the time, and they stop visiting shoe stores. Individuals who face this phobia do not like the sight of feet, or the touch or feel of feet, because they find feet disgusting and gross. In the following sections, we will learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for podophobia. Why Do Some People Fear Feet? There has been very little research about this psychological condition; nevertheless, podophobics (people suffering from podophobia) can relate to many such incidents, which actually causes distress and anxiety, and that's how they developed this fear. As is the case with all other phobias, this phobia finds its roots and causes in some childhood trauma regarding feet, or maybe, some negative experience in the past, which may have helped triggered this fear in that individual's mind. 

For a third person, these reasons might be Alpha Monster Advanced silly or dumb, but it actually affects the person suffering from it to a great extent. Some experts believe that it may be inherited or have genetic causes. People who tend to be overly anxious, or are highly strung, may possibly acquire podophobia. Signs and Symptoms Podophobia tends to persist for longer periods, and the sufferer may experience many physical or psychological symptoms. They are aware that feet are not dangerous and can in no way harm them, but they are absolutely powerless to overcome their fear. The following are the signs and symptoms experienced by a podophobe. ✦ Shortness of breath at the sight of or thought of feet. ✦ Accelerated heartbeat ✦ Extreme anxiety issues ✦ Body trembling ✦ Refuse to discuss feet or even topics related to them. ✦ Sweating profusely ✦ Dizziness ✦ Nausea ✦ Covering their feet or requesting others to cover their feet. ✦ Fear of other people touching their feet ✦ Panic attacks ✦ Feeling petrified at the sight of feet, even on television. These are some physiological symptoms that podophobia brings about. The symptoms and their intensity vary from person to person. The phobic individual may withdraw from his surrounding, because it affects his social life and relationships profoundly. 

How to Make a Podophobe Comfortable ✦ Do not, in any case, remove your socks around him/her. ✦ Do not wave your feet in their face, he may take offensive, and in an extreme case may turn aggressive or violent. ✦ Make sure to cover your feet, or move your legs away, if you sit besides them. ✦ Don't clip your toenails in front of him, it may creep him out even more. ✦ Don't discuss topics about feet in front of him, or with him. Try to understand the individual's situation, and help him/her overcome his fear patiently, by being considerate. How to Overcome the Fear of Feet In most cases, since the fear of feet is likely to hamper a podophobe's daily routine, to get rid of their fear, positive thinking or facing up to their fear can work. Though, this may require consistent effort and patience. In rare, extreme cases, seeking medical help is beneficial. To summarize, the treatment approach includes the following: 1. Various Therapies To get rid of the fear, you may have to dig deeper to get to the root cause of the phobia. This can be done through cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, counseling, hypnotherapy, professional advice, self-help books, or the combination of the above. Medication and meditation are also considered to be effective in reducing panic attacks and other anxiety problems caused due to podophobia. 

Systematic Desensitization Another effective method is when therapists try to slowly and gradually persuade patients to open up and face their fear. They may start with talking and interacting with the individual, this way, they can easily understand the individual's fear and problems, and this helps to find out the root cause of the fear. The therapists start showing the patient pictures about feet, be it on television, magazines, etc., note his/her reaction, and try to calm him/her down. This is followed by gradual exposure to the sight and touch of his and other people's feet. Podophobics are also encouraged to go for pedicures, as this might help them to get over their feet phobia. It's just like any other phobia, and, should be definitely respected. You wouldn't throw a cockroach on someone with katsaridaphobia (fear of roaches), or make somebody sit in the dark if they have nyctophobia (fear of the dark), try to respect their situation and be considerate You can overcome podophobia, or help your friends or family with patience and positive thoughts. How to Treat Anxiety When it comes to choosing the correct treatment for anxiety, the type of disorder is a major concern. This Buzzle article puts forth a few treatment methods that can be applicable for the treatment of anxious behavior, in your case. TAGGED UNDER: Anxiety Advertisement Anxiety is an emotional state of mind wherein, the mind reacts in a certain way, to cope up with mental stress. 

All of us have felt a sense of anxiousness for one reason or another and let me tell you that it is a harmless condition. In fact, a little bit of stress helps you in giving a better performance, as you become more alert and focus on the given task. However, anxiety is good for you as long as you can keep it under control. Once it starts controlling your life, it becomes a cause of concern. Then you feel restless and uneasy all the time. Some people get sudden bouts of panic attacks where they feel worried and tensed for no valid reason. Gradually, it starts affecting their daily activities and behavior, and ultimately, they stop enjoying their life. Causes and Symptoms There is no definite cause of anxious behavior, but certain factors may contribute to this problem. A Traumatic event of childhood, absence of secured support system, death of near ones, failed relationship, loss of job, etc., are some of them. Some of the general symptoms of anxiety are chronic depression, fatigue, insomnia, hallucinations, nightmares, muscle cramps, digestive problems, like, diarrhea, heartburn, and so on. When panic attack sets in, then it can be identified with rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, tremors, shortness of breath, nausea, choking sensation, and even chest pain. These symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, the only difference being, that they ease off on their own in a panic attack. Treatment When you are experiencing panic attacks quite frequently or the anxiety symptoms are disrupting your normal life, then you must consult a doctor. 

They first confirm that the symptoms are triggered by anxiety and not any other health problem and then start the treatment. This disorder is often treated with the help of medicines and behavior therapy. There are different types of medicines that are being used for the treatment. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are most commonly prescribed by doctors for treating anxiety. They are recommended for short-term use only, to bring down the severity of the symptoms. This is because, these medicines are addictive and may cause adverse effects. The medicinal treatment is accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy conducted by a therapist. This treatment continues for several weeks. Firstly, the patient is asked some personal questions about his life and lifestyle. From the answers to these questions, those thoughts that trigger anxiety are identified. Then the therapist helps the patient to overcome those unwanted feelings and thoughts. Exposure therapy is another effective treatment, where the patients are made to face the fearful situation through imagination and are helped to deal with it in a relaxed state of mind. This way their anxiety level decreases gradually with time. 

Natural Methods When anxiety attacks are mild in nature, you do not need any medicines. Rather, in that condition, you must avoid them because of their potential side effects. Here are a few natural methods of anxiety cure that are quite effective: Accept the Problem: When you are in a denial mode that you do not have anxiety problem, then it may become a bigger issue. Hence, it's better to accept the existing condition and try to figure out the cause behind it. Once, you accept the condition, it will be easier for the doctor to decide the line of treatment.