This piece at Psychology Today is a nice summary of much of Dalrymple’s clinical work, as the opening lines make clear:
Perhaps the greatest of modern epidemics in western society is that of self-infliction. Never before in history have so many people made themselves so miserable by their actions, opinions, habits, tastes and proclivities. On all previous ages, circumstances were so difficult or dangerous for most people that no helping hand was needed for misery to triumph. This is the first age in which people can choose the kind of misery they want: previously it was the privilege of the rich to do so.