I have the same fear, no joke. I don't mind the yellow heads I pop those off like in the childish game, however when it comes to the spiky leaves I have a nervous break down. My breath gets shorter, and I start sweating like mad.

Supposedly my phobia stems from when I was a toddler and an older child had taunted me with them saying they were going to eat me. I don't remember this, all I recall is the strong aversion to these plants. Honestly some times I wish I could change phobias to at least something more rational.

I've thought about seeing a psychiatrist about it but I've been rather scared to due to some of the tactics I've heard about. My old chemistry teacher said something along the lines of they'll bring your fear in the room with you and each time they'll bring it closer and that immediately brought tears in my eyes in class. I know it's for desensitization however HOW.

Honestly I don't know if I'll ever get over my fear but I think I'll try and that maybe you could try to. I've found that learning to walk around the little ones are good. I can step over those no problem so long as they aren't touching any of my skin. However I've tried wearing flip flops and I'm slowly (VERY SLOWLY) getting used to those as well. Still no where near tackling the big ones yet - and there has to be at LEAST a 3 foot distance on either side of me before I walk past them - but I did make progress.

You should just go at your own natural pace, you may not ever fully be "cured" but you may be able to withstand more than you think which should help a lot. Every little bit counts, right?