Huge problems with debugging C++ programs

[Carlo Wood]

(gdb) p this
$1 = (dm_alloc_ct *) 0x80b5ad0
(gdb) p *this
Value can't be converted to integer.

#2  0x0805c46a in 
libcw::debug::dm_alloc_ct::print_description(libcw::debug::ooam_filter_ct 
const&) const (this=0x80b5ad0,
    address@hidden) at debugmalloc.cc:1137
1137        DoutInternal( dc::continued, ' ' << a_description );
(gdb) p a_description
Value can't be converted to integer.

Why does gdb do this all the time?
I can't debug like this :(

-- 
Carlo Wood <address@hidden>