Phobia is often defined as a fear of what's harmless. For someone like yourself, there is a certain risk of being attacked in daylight walking downtown. We'd also say that there's a risk of falling off a ladder, so fear of heights is not completely irrational. Also, getting hit by a car is a much bigger danger walking downtown in daylight for a man age 28.

If you use as your definition a fear that seriously interferes with the way you live, we'd call this a phobia.

As someone here has said, time is on your side. About therapy, some people prefer self-help. A therapist's time is expensive, which means therapy for phobia, which involves exposure to what's feared, tends to progress at a rate faster than what the client is comfortable with. A source of self-help advice - The Feeling Good Handbook by psychiatrist and CBT expert David Burns, often recommended by professionals.

In a nutshell, therapy for phobia is listing a number of scary situations, ranking them according to how scary you find them, and using that ranked list as your set of objectives. An objective can also be imagining a situation. Start with something really, really easy and gradually work your way up.

The thing to remember is never to go from A to B until you really feel secure with A. What makes you feel secure is experience, also a good relaxation method. All the evidence shows that slow breathing is the best. I have details about this in my recent answers - the best way to do it and evidence, including treatment for combat veterans with PTSD.

If the program isn't working, rewrite the set of objectives or spend more time on objectives.

Well, it'll take time and maybe some therapy. Or just talking to someone you trust about it.

A guy did that to me in Danang. Won't do it again - I had my .45 auto out and emptied into him in like three seconds. Can't really offer you much help with your anxiety other than to suggest you see a mental health counselor. One of those should be able to give you means of dealing with the anxiety. One thing - you probably will never encounter that freak again

You crazy. You can’t overcome that.. life is dangerous. There is people who would do wicked things just to feel good. Always be aware of your surroundings. To have no fear outside your home you must be able to defend yourself. By using hands not weapons. If you use weapons with no training, there will be problems.

maybe you should get a dog to walk with you, that way if someone bothers you your dog can go after them