A Post Traumatic Stress Disorder support group run by clinical nurse consultant Sean Fitz-Gerald, who has worked in PTSD care for the past 17 years through St John of God Health Care in Sydney, meets monthly in Orange.

Mr Fitz-Gerald said there were many ways people developed PTSD.

"You could be in a car accident and develop PTSD," he said.

"The public seems to have this perception that it's only if people are shooting at you and you've been in a war you'll develop PTSD.

"We know for police for example a lot of [things] that push them over the edge is traumas involving children.

"Ambulance drivers turning up to MVAs, firies going through buildings finding people who have been caught in fires, anything where they have been exposed to that sort of trauma.

"We do know the more traumatic events you are exposed to the greater your chances of developing PTSD."

Mr Fitz-Gerald said the Orange group of about 12-15 people also included truck drivers who had been traumatised after witnessing accidents.

He said people with PTSD tended to want to retreat into seclusion, which created more problems as they had more time to worry which led to increased anxiety.

Mr Fitz-Gerald said the group brought people in similar situations together.

"There is solidarity in the unit within the clients, by connecting people with similar experiences in an environment where it feels safe.

"After the first week they start rediscovering the benefits of connecting with other people."

The group meets at Legacy House in McNamara Street on the second Wednesday of every month from 10am-1pm.

There is also a group for the family and support people for PTSD sufferers on the Tuesday night beforehand from 6.30pm-9.30pm.

To join email sean.fitz-gerald@sjog.org.au or call Legacy House at 6362 1205.

There is no charge and people do not need a referral.