Help!!! Plaster ceiling falling off

[Lisakick]

My ceiling is chipping off in all rooms. The surface underneath is really smooth as if the plaster design had nothing to adhere to. This is not a popcorn ceiling, it looks like plaster with the design of frosting on a cake with tips hanging down. It's a horrible eye sore & it's getting worse since it spreads. There are places where it's hanging there till it eventually falls to the floor.
Has anyone experienced this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions on a easy way of removing the remainder of this mess and what I need to do about applying a new ceiling. Can I just paint it or would I need to use a primer or would paint with primer in it be ok to paint on.
Thanks for any help I can get to resolve this problem.