Stories about living in a hospital ward as narrated by schizophrenic patients

Ten schizophrenic patients were interviewed about their own experiences of life in a hospital ward, of their care provider and of the care received. The interview texts were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic method. Fatigue, thinking about problems/inner activities, relations and longings for the pre-illness days were themes that occurred in the stories. Seven of the ten interviewees stated that they suffered from fatigue. They were preoccupied with an inner dialogue, trying to solve problems on their own. The patients were alone in their stories. The problems that the patients expressed with regard to relationships arose because they both longed for and feared contact with others, and they felt that they were not 'themselves' when they were with others. For developing care, the importance of learning more about the patients' experiences, especially regarding fatigue, is emphasized.