I wouldn't say it's was disease in the first place. Maybe we can compare it with money somewhat. In the beginning it was a useful tool to get things organized and done but after a while it transformed into a powerful tool of restriction and control.
Whatever mindset causes this transformation processes could maybe also end up like epidemic plaques or pandemic diseases.
However... at least it seems to me whenever civilizations or certain groups had developed a too high pleasure standard for themselves that's when some sort of collapse or revolt appears.
You can actually spent your entire life just by analyzing this word: "overseer".