Gertie, you may want to consider anti-anxiety medications or benzos. And if you DO consider them, you may want to make sure you get them before you arrive. As someone who battles anxiety, too, this city is extremely challenging. From getting stuck underground on the subway train, to being trapped in a sea of tourists who've never seen a neon sign before.... this city is tough on anxious folk like ourself.
If medication is not your thing, which I get -- it took a long time for me to finally decide to go through with it -- I would make sure you have a counselor lined up before you get here.
Good luck!
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman