Sent to: DocJohn and anyone else out there who has some feedback

Good Morning. I have been labeled bipolar for the past 6 years, until December of 2004. I was on up to 9 meds at a time. FINALLY, I moved to CA where I have the most incredible doctor - I took my first Ritalin pill in December and I calmed down and focused. In the past 7 months, I have been able to get off of all my meds except Concerta and deal with a very abusive (sexually and physically, neglectful, and psychologically ) childhood. I have worked very hard with my psychiatrist, and 2 therapists.
I have a question about ADD/HD. Is a person psychologically depentdent on Concerta if they need it to calm down and focus? I had to stop taking it a few days ago, and I felt like the basketcase I always used to be - it was very scary. It's no wonder they thought I had bipolar. I was short tempered, quick to say ugly things, emotionally up and down, unable to keep my mind quiet, unable to focus on anything and basically just a mess. Upon resuming Concerta, within 30 minutes, my life came back into focus, I calmed down and felt rational.
Is a person addicted because they calm down after taking their medicine? I thought that abusing, or being addicted to stimulants was for the high, not the clarity? Can you explain this? Is it similar to a diabetic needing insulin? They are sick without it, but that does not mean they are adicted to something that makes their life more manageable. Is it possible to have ADD/HD so bad that without the medicine, a person's life is chaos? Please answer. Thank you.