I wanted to share my story because I see a lot of posts where people say "am I psychic or schizophrenic?" I went through the same thing. I had an aunt who was diagnosed schizophrenic in the 70's and she was heavily medicated for years. I believe she was a medium as well. I was afraid I was following in her footsteps. The best thing you can do is get a good therapist like I did. She said I was not schizophrenic because I could articulate exactly what I was feeling and that it could be spiritual. At that point, I contacted a medium that a my cousin was dating and my life hasn't been the same since. It's better than ever!
A year ago, I got to the point where I was hearing and feeling spirit. I was hearing a lot of chatter, not knowing what it was. When I started working with (I'll call him John, the medium) he told me what was happening and that he was meant to help me. First he told me to tell the voices to slow down. I first started hearing my husband's grandfather who is always with us. I've seen green auras and I once saw an angel, there's no mistaking that. She was absolutely beautiful. However, I mostly feel, hear, smell, and I see things that they show me in my third eye.
For the past six months, things have revved up quite a bit. I get messages for people I know who are having a stressful time and it's really great to be able to help. I'm starting to get messages for relatives of people I know who I don't know personally. It's starting to get a bit tricky and with each reading, I learn something new. I understand that this process is necessary because it will make me a very good medium delivering the best information in order to help people. Eventually, I will be able to do readings for people I don't know at all, but I'm not there yet.
For people starting out, I would say find a good mentor. Also, meditation and opening your chakras are very important. Keep your aura clean and protect yourself psychically (if you don't know what this is, research it, it's very very important.) Love yourself and love God (or the source) because you are a miracle yourself. Be grateful you have this responsibility. Don't think it's weird. In fact, it's very natural and more and more people are awakening to the ability.
Good luck. It is hard work, but very rewarding. It has really changed my family's life and we now enjoy life to the fullest. We are truly blessed.