A woman accused of attacking three people with an axe in Sydney's inner west last year was driven by a "deep-seated anger" at the world and people, a jury has heard.

Evie Amati, 26, allegedly armed herself with an axe and walked 450 metres from her home to the 7-Eleven store in Enmore just after 2am on January 7, 2017.

She swung the axe at two people inside - hitting a man in the face and a woman in the back of the head - then approached a man outside, who managed to ward off two blows by holding his backpack in front of him.

Evie Amati is accused of attacking three people with an axe.

At the opening of her District Court trial, she pleaded not guilty to six charges including wounding with intent to murder and attempted wounding with intent to murder, arguing she was not guilty because of mental illness.