Marcia Mikhael communicates with police while she is standing in the window of the Lindt Cafe siege. Courtesy: Seven News

THE most outspoken survivor of the Sydney siege has hit back at criticism over her outspoken comments on the handling of the police operation and reports she received a six-figure sum for an interview with Channel Seven.

Since Seven’s Sunday Night exclusive interview in February, Marcia Mikhael told Fairfax Media the cyber bullying she has copped after the interview made her consider taking her own life.

“I went from being a victim and a hero to a villain, police basher,” the 43-year-old said.

“I have nightmares and flashbacks.

“I don’t trust people any more. I’m terrified of being in public, and everywhere I go I’m looking around for danger.”

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Marcia Mikhael: 'I'm angry... Why am I the criminal here?' Sydney Siege survivor Marcia Mikhael gives an emotional interview on Inside the Siege: The Untold Story. Courtesy: Channel Seven

Mikhael was one of the 16 hostages holed up inside the Lindt cafe at Martin Place last December, but only one of seven who endured the full 17-hour drama as she was held by gunman Man Horan Monis.

She says she was his “voice” inside the cafe, “taking most of his calls”.

She was left with a gunshot wound to her leg after police stormed the cafe.

“I’ve had two surgeries in each leg and had over 200 small pieces of shrapnel removed and I still require at least one more surgery in each leg.”

Mikhail has blamed a misrepresentation of facts for the bullying, and cites abusive phone calls for creating her fragile state of mind.

When reports surfaced alleging she demanded a six-figure sum for the Sunday Night interview with Melissa Doyle, she “actually thought about killing myself.”

“When all the bullying started ... I felt lost. Helpless.

“The truth is, I didn’t demand anything. Every single one of the hostages received a payout from either Channel 7 or 9.

“So why am I the only greedy monster?”

Ms Mikhael disclosed to Fairfax that she donated a “portion” of the money from the interview to Lifeline, which she hopes will aid in helping the prevention of suicide.

“Before the siege, before all the bullying, I couldn’t comprehend how someone could feel so low they would consider killing themselves.

“And for someone as strong as I am to want to die … that’s when I understood how people can get to that state.

She says her comments criticising the police operation were “taken out of context”.

“I know there are a lot of officers there (who) probably risked their lives to be there and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being ungrateful to them ... but I just think that maybe the Army would’ve been better, more appropriate to be handling this situation,” she said at the time.

NSW Police declined to comment on the matter.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. There is also an anonymous online chat service available between 8pm and 4am AEST at Lifeline.org.au, or visit Beyond Blue’s website.

For crisis assistance, call 000.