SEX workers on Sydney's streets are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder than soldiers returning from combat or police officers.

Federally funded research showed most of the 72 women interviewed had experienced multiple traumas: child sex abuse, serious child neglect, rape as an adult, and work-related violence. As a result, one-third still experience serious symptoms of post-traumatic stress such as flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, hyper-vigilance and extreme anxiety. On top of that, many suffer depression.

The research, by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of NSW, found that just under half the women had tried to kill themselves. The lead researcher, Amanda Roxburgh, said the prevalence of post-traumatic stress was higher than expected.