Sorry to hear about your stepdad.

I'll admit that I don't have a schizophrenia diagnosis, but I do have depression. I have been taking psychiatric medication constantly since I was 14 (that's 22 years now). I plan to continue taking it for the rest of my life, because I don't think there is a cure for major depressive disorder either. The medication helps me manage my symptoms so that I can live on my own and hold down a job. Without medication, I would be living with my parents (possibly on disability if I could get it). Also, I would be miserable for the rest of my life. To me, the medication is very much worth it. That said, I understand that some anti-psychotics have strong negative side effects, so I understand why you don't want to experience those.