answer:Yes, it could absolutely be contributing to your anxiety. I know since you live in a very large city that driving is probably out of the question? When it was really bad for me, being able to drive – or be driven – cut back on 99% of the harassment. What the police told you fucking pisses me off beyond belief and every single one of them who uttered that kind of comment needs to be fired. Ugh! I’m so sorry you had to deal with such assholes. Next time, if it’s possible, try to speak with a female officer. It won’t be a guarantee that it will be handled differently, but there’s a good chance it will. I had really bad anxiety when I was forced to walk home after work due to all of the very negative experiences I had with men on the street. I’ve been touched, chased down, screamed at, followed (multiple times), threatened with violence because I wouldn’t give my phone number (also many times), etc. I started carrying my keys between my fingers and I wouldn’t walk in front of any men. Though I know that’s probably not possible for you in Manhattan. What are your laws regarding pepper spray? It’s worth looking into. There are also numerous apps now that sync you up with a friend or family member any time you’re walking alone outside. They come equipped with alarms, automatically take pictures and voice recordings if there’s a sudden movement to your phone, send emergency alerts to people of your choosing, show someone you choose in real-time the route you’re taking, etc. I highly recommend downloading one if you have a smartphone.