Until recently I didn't even know I had the diagnosis of Schizoaffective / Depressive Type. I just thought I had depression. I have been prescribed anti-psychotic medication on and off for more the 10 years (since I was 23) and just thought I had a hard time coping. I had never told anyone that I was paranoid and I didn't hear voices but I guess the professionals figured it out on their own. I think there is a broader spectrum to this illness than what google provides because I don't think I fall into many of the categories. I'm finding that the updated version of DSM-5 has the most reliable information, I just wish they went into more detail.
I do suffer from a lot of paranoia, mostly about other people. I don't hear voices, but I will hear music or noises. I haven't heard anyone else with same symptoms so I'm wondering does anyone else suffer the same symptoms? I do worry that one day I will hear voices and that scares me. Schizophrenia runs in my family and my one cousin didn't develop severe symptoms until she was 38. She is not able to care for herself and refuses to take medication. My other cousin was also diagnosed just schizophrenic and she also doesn't hear voices. I still can't find too much information about this and it's my understanding that the severity of this illness is on a 0-4 scale. I think that my issues are from delusions and being paranoid even though they may not be as severe. Maybe I'm just having a hard time accepting my diagnosed and I'm in denial. I'm not seeing a therapist at this time but I do see my pdoc three times a month. What kind of therapist would I need to see? I just feel like I need to understand more than what I do right now. All of this is very depressing and I don't think I can accept it until I understand.