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Depression: A Sufferer's Perspective
The book is a description of the self of which the writer has been able to do from a vintage point of an observer and what he is describing is he. The context that he is observing includes the socio economic and temporal experiences that seem to him to collaborate together to produce a person whose circumstances provoked the depressive experience. As he indicates he has suffered the problem of depression from the age of 19 years to date.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
3 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Cato George
6 books4 followersDr. Ambrose Cato George holds the following academic qualifications: B.Sc. In Zoology and Botany (Unisa), Secondary Teacher’s Diploma-postgraduate (UWC), B.Ed. - distinction in Philosophy of Education (Unisa), Associate of the University of London Institute of Education (London) for the study: “the educational provision of the Mentally and Physically Handicapped in England and Wales and its possible application in South Africa”. The M.Ed. Degree (Rhodes) with the thesis: “the London Missionary Society and Education: a Study of the Eastern Cape 1799 to 1852” as well as the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Rhodes) with the thesis: “a Mission and Five Commissions: a Study of Some a Aspects of the Educational work of the American Zulu Mission 1835-1910”
He started to teach in 1965. In teaching career, which spread over a period of more than 30 years, he gradually climbed the promotion ladder and eventually became a principal of a large comprehensive school in a sub-economic township. This post he carried out with success for 10 years. In 1994 a new South Africa found him in the position of Inspector of Education. He acted as supervisor for more than 50 high, primary and special schools. He played a significant role in the transformation to one educational system and was instrumental in amalgamating schools from the previous educational departments. He was forced to retire from his post as a result of clinical depression.
Although Ambrose was occupied fulltime as an educationalist, he still found time to get involved in community activities. Some of these activities included the following: he served on the executive of the Port Elizabeth Mental Health Society for many years: he was involved with the Happydale School for Severely Mentally Handicapped children for more than 30 years. He was honoured by the Port Elizabeth Mental Health Society in 1999 by being made an Honorary Life Member of Society. For the last 16 years he was chairman of the Management Committee of Happydale.
He was instrumental in starting a Depression Support Group in the Northern Areas in Port Elizabeth. He served as a member of the Governing Council at Happydale when his health allows it.
He serves as a part-time lecturer at the Charlotte Searle Nursing College for a period of 15 years. He lectured Biochemistry, Biophysics, Education and Administration. He also lectured Physics and Chemistry to radiology students. He served on the Council of Charlotte Searle nursing College for many years.
He started to teach in 1965. In teaching career, which spread over a period of more than 30 years, he gradually climbed the promotion ladder and eventually became a principal of a large comprehensive school in a sub-economic township. This post he carried out with success for 10 years. In 1994 a new South Africa found him in the position of Inspector of Education. He acted as supervisor for more than 50 high, primary and special schools. He played a significant role in the transformation to one educational system and was instrumental in amalgamating schools from the previous educational departments. He was forced to retire from his post as a result of clinical depression.
Although Ambrose was occupied fulltime as an educationalist, he still found time to get involved in community activities. Some of these activities included the following: he served on the executive of the Port Elizabeth Mental Health Society for many years: he was involved with the Happydale School for Severely Mentally Handicapped children for more than 30 years. He was honoured by the Port Elizabeth Mental Health Society in 1999 by being made an Honorary Life Member of Society. For the last 16 years he was chairman of the Management Committee of Happydale.
He was instrumental in starting a Depression Support Group in the Northern Areas in Port Elizabeth. He served as a member of the Governing Council at Happydale when his health allows it.
He serves as a part-time lecturer at the Charlotte Searle Nursing College for a period of 15 years. He lectured Biochemistry, Biophysics, Education and Administration. He also lectured Physics and Chemistry to radiology students. He served on the Council of Charlotte Searle nursing College for many years.
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March 5, 2015
Ambrose George has lived with depression for most of his adult life and offers this book as a source of understanding and guidance for others who are struggling with this difficult condition. Readers who have suffered from depression may well find some relief in recognizing what depression is through reading Ambrose George's account. But they will also find a wealth of practical information presented in a balanced and helpful way.
• "Why do I feel so tired and unmotivated?"
• "Why would someone want to kill themselves?"
• "Can medication help?"
• "What is electric shock therapy?"
• "Can counseling or psychotherapy help?"
• "What's the best thing I can do for a friend or relative who is depressed?"
If you would value an answer to any or all of these questions, read this book. Ambrose George is a very gifted man, who has learned the hard way and found ways of coping effectively and courageously with this tough and difficult condition called depression. This book is a kind of survival guide in which ne shares the insights he has gained from what he has learned during over thirty years of experiencing, grappling with and facing the depression that has been a companion throughout his whole adult life.
Professor David Edwards, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychology, Rhodes University
It is my privilege to be associated with this publication on depression. The principles that dr. George puts forward, will enhance the transformational healing towards intra- and inter-personal wholeness, in the sense that it will contribute to the ongoing process of reconciliation. On a proactive basis each person needs to strive to be reconciled not only with him-/herself, but also with every person and/or group. Furthermore: one's emotional state should evidently not be circumstantial, but must be determined by one's thinking patterns and cognitive perceptions. By making responsible choices towards this end, one can truly find purpose - and thus: happiness.
I can identify with Ambrose's writings, because it resonates with my own motto in life, based on Romans 12: 2: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind."
Dr. Leon M Steenkamp (Ph.D.), Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church (N.G. Kerk) in Port Elizabeth, and Pastoral Therapist.
• "Why do I feel so tired and unmotivated?"
• "Why would someone want to kill themselves?"
• "Can medication help?"
• "What is electric shock therapy?"
• "Can counseling or psychotherapy help?"
• "What's the best thing I can do for a friend or relative who is depressed?"
If you would value an answer to any or all of these questions, read this book. Ambrose George is a very gifted man, who has learned the hard way and found ways of coping effectively and courageously with this tough and difficult condition called depression. This book is a kind of survival guide in which ne shares the insights he has gained from what he has learned during over thirty years of experiencing, grappling with and facing the depression that has been a companion throughout his whole adult life.
Professor David Edwards, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychology, Rhodes University
It is my privilege to be associated with this publication on depression. The principles that dr. George puts forward, will enhance the transformational healing towards intra- and inter-personal wholeness, in the sense that it will contribute to the ongoing process of reconciliation. On a proactive basis each person needs to strive to be reconciled not only with him-/herself, but also with every person and/or group. Furthermore: one's emotional state should evidently not be circumstantial, but must be determined by one's thinking patterns and cognitive perceptions. By making responsible choices towards this end, one can truly find purpose - and thus: happiness.
I can identify with Ambrose's writings, because it resonates with my own motto in life, based on Romans 12: 2: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind."
Dr. Leon M Steenkamp (Ph.D.), Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church (N.G. Kerk) in Port Elizabeth, and Pastoral Therapist.
Displaying 1 of 1 review