Objective To explore characteristics of self-medication management among patients with schizophrenia, and to provide guidance for schizophrenia self-medication management. Methods Seventeen patients with schizophrenia were interviewed deeply using semi-structured and open-ended interview method, then the records were transcribed and analyzed with open coding，axial coding and selective coding according to the grounded theory. Results The characteristics of self-medication management among patients with schizophrenia included the behavioral trajectories of self-medication management and four types of self-medication management. Conclusion The trajectory of self-medication management behavior among schizophrenia patients is a continuous, dynamic, progressive and changeable complex process, and the types of self-medication management are diverse and changeable. Medical staff should identify the characteristics of self-medication management behavior of schizophrenia patients according to their real situation, then provide targeted guidance for patients.