Canonical references about dark phases on the path (dark night, depression, etc)

[binocular]

Possibly, but I and many others often do things wrongly! You could say that all or most suffering is self-caused by failure to understand or practice correctly. We all or almost all screw up. We all or almost all will suffer as a result.

Sure. But to call the feeling down that one feels as a result of such mistakes or inadequacy "the dark night of the soul" or "hard times" and such seems to me like an emotional overreaction, or a sign that something else, much more sinister is going on.

Also, to expect that while attempting to practice the path, one will experience such dark times that might place one in a mental institution -- that is a sign of bad faith.
The Dhamma is supposed to be good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end. And if what one is doing isn't like that, then it isn't the Dhamma.

[binocular]

I have been angry at myself for progressing too slowly, silly as that is.

But that anger was never debilitating, was it?

[Pseudobabble]

But that anger was never debilitating, was it?

It certainly hindered my practice and made me upset.