Hi purpleflyingmonkeys! I am following you, spooky, eh? (just kidding)
I agree with Pegs that it would be possible to have both schizophrenia and DID. I think diagnosing one thing by eliminating another is definitely flawed, but I understand how it happens. If you go to the doctor with a cough, they might test you for strep throat. If it came back positive, they would treat you for it. They might never notice, until you don't get better, that you also have pneumonia. Plus, unlike strep throat, there's no real definitive test for DID or schizophrenia. So, basically, if the treatment for strep throat works, then you know that was all you have. If the treatment for DID works, then that may very well be all you have. Besides which, you're you no matter what you're diagnosed with. If they decided you had PurplePeopleEater's Disease, treated you for it, and you got better, then who cares what they call it??
btw, it made me feel happy inside to see you identify "internal and external voices." I have always made a differential in my head between inside and outside voices. Inside voices sometimes speak out my mouth, and they sound like the same location as my own thoughts inside my head. (does that make any sense at all??) Outside voices don't ever act as me, and they always sound like outside my head, like other people talking.
Good thread! I'll be interested to see what others have to say!