Oh, absolutely.

I think that raising numbers of people with emotional problems... are caused by the socio-cultural factors. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's not that these problems were not "real". One doesn't need a brainscan to believe one's problems are genuine.
But despite what people may think... I think today stigma against emotional problems is much worse, and it doesn't help it's been made into medical issue.

We aren't taught to handle emotions. We are success driven society, but aren't taught to handle failure (and it's bound to happen). We are told not to cry. We are told we should never be "improper" (see, I have problem with the "hypersexuality" criterion... see Susana Kaysen (Girl Interrupted) questioning gender-view of promiscuity... plus we are bombarded with sex-as-fun from media... why is it okay for rappers to sleep with all the girls in club, but if you do it in real life, you should call your pdoc to have your meds upped?). And as for spending... isn't it what we are told to do? spend-spend-spend and all of sudden it's a symptom? (yes, I know it's about balance and it being a problem... but gah... i doubt that manic depressives in old times went to malls and had lot of random sex... it's a cultural thing).

so it comes to how we can handle ourselves... but are we ever taught that?

sorry, for the ramble... hope you are able to figure yourself out