Ritalin dependence?

I've been on Ritalin for about three years now. I've noticed that if I forget to take it, I get really, really anxious, almost paranoid and I also feel exhausted. And for the past maybe three months, I've noticed that later on in the day, I start feeling like I haven't taken it at all. I have never, ever, ever taken Ritalin to stay up all night or crushed it and snorted it or anything. Is this withdrawal? Can I be dependent on Ritalin even if I always took it as directed? I've wanted to go off of it, but any time I try, I get all this going on, and I live with two very, very anti-psychiatry people who will just lecture me even more if I say "I feel like ****, I didn't take my Ritalin." At this point... I'm pretty much only taking it to feel normal and appear normal.

[TrayCee]

after 3 years youre absloutley dependant and have developed a tolerance is why the same dose isnt working anymore.  Are you trying to quit?

[MissMc528]

I would love, love, love to quit. I don't feel like I need it anymore and quite frankly, I don't want a prescription medication having THAT much control over how I feel if I forget it. Problem is, if I quit, the adults (mother and her new husband) will know. And I guarantee you if they find out that I'm apparently dependent on this stuff, they will absolutely take away any and all medications I have, psychiatric or not. So I seriously do not know what to do here...