This research investigated the daily experiences of patients' lives to develop a formal theory that explains the lives of schizophrenic patients.

A grounded theory method(Strauss & Corbin, 1998) guided the data collection and analysis. Thirteen patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia in regional communities participated.

The experiences of chronic schizophrenic patients are defined as “escaping from a fallen mine” comparing their suffering to that of entrapped miners trying to free themselves from a collapsed mine tunnel with much difficulty and without hope. In observing participant's time lines of having lived with chronic schizophrenia, it advances with “surrender”, “collapse”, “reaching out”, “rising”, “preparing to spring up”, and “starting anew”.

The results of this study indicate that the experience of a chronic schizophrenic patient is like that of a miner caught under a fallen mine channel, who, without external help cannot escape the depths of the mine, but at the same time must have conviction and hope of rescue and avert fear to cooperate with outside help. The result indicates that family members, doctors and nurses as well as an institute's persistent and active support is most critical for the patient's adjustment to social life.