Socioeconomic status as well as chronic illnesses such as autoimmune and rheumatic diseases, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus affect mood by generating stress, anxiety and depression, all of which negatively influence immune system function and regulation. For example, asthma was historically referred to as “nervous asthma” in relation to living with a histrionic mother, and atopic dermatitis was referred to as “neurodermatitis.”