Miss Havisham Living Effects

...Hidden in the Dark

Miss Havisham has brought many physical and emotional pain and distress to herself since her heart was crushed and she felt the need to no longer live life to the full. When Miss Havisham shut herself away from the world she shit herself down and starting causing herself much harm and depression. The effects of living in a large house, Satis house and keeping the house is such a state that hasnt been cleaner or touched in many years can really effect the health. The fact the house is bordered up and all the thick curtains are drawn so not an inch of sunlight drifts in. 

The Effect of no Sunlight-
Natural sunlight is a free and available mood enhancer. It encourages us to produce vitamin D and protects us from seasonal mood changed. Lack of natural sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency - which contributes to an increased risk of and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Any decline in natural sunlight exposure and the resulting vitamin D absorption disrupts the natural body clock that controls the body's gauge for sleeping and waking hours. This causes an uncontrolled deviation from normal patterns and behaviours, which in turn can causes feelings of depression and hopelessness. Reduced melatonin and serotonin hormones — the chemicals released from the brain that control mood — are often also partly to blame for SAD symptoms that lead to depression.

Vitamin D is required for the regulation of the minerals calcium and phosphorus found in the body. It also plays an important role in maintaining proper bone structure. It is also used for boosting the immune system, preventing autoimmune diseases, and preventing cancer.

"'Look at me,' said Miss Havisham. 'You are not afraid of a woman who has never seen the sun since you were born?'" (Ch. 8)

Dust and mould-

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As you can see throughout Great Expectations Miss Havisham lives in a very large old house called Satis house. During the period that Miss Havisham lived there since since she was left by her husband-to-be everything stopped in the house, including the clocks. Miss Havisham has no-one clean the house or garden and the cake and food fro her wedding day which was many years ago still laid on the table. In the 2012 Great Expectations film its shows the house, dark, covered in dust, dirt and multiple rats wondering on the table and through the house. This means the food is decaying which is very unhygienic, mould, spores and bacteria would start growing on and around the food, which is extremely bad for your health. The dust and uncleanliness of the house would effect her breathing, lungs and even her voice. 

Dust becomes toxic when present in excessive amounts whether inside or outside homes. The toxicity can be attributed to both material composition of the dust contaminants and living organisms present in the dust such as moulds and dust mites. House dust mites (microscopic eight-legged creatures also known as HDM) feed on flakes of shed human skin. Side effects to this could be Breathing problems and lung damage caused by scarring (Fibrosis) from excessive inhalation of chemical dust contaminants. Also allergic reactions and increased risk of asthma associated with dust mites and proteases contained within dust mites’ feces.

sourced information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEVl1Ec92s8
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-929-vitamin%20d.aspx?activeingredientid=929&activeingredientname=vitamin%20d
http://life.gaiam.com/article/how-does-sunlight-impact-your-moodhttp://www.toomuchof.com/dust-in-house/#sthash.8WbvClq8.dpuf