Aim. The aim of the paper was to analyse the attitudes of patients with chronic diseases towards illness.

Results. The analyzed patients were suffering from circulatory system, rheumatic and neoplastic diseases. Generally we noticed positive attitudes more frequently among the investigated patients, particularly among women with neoplastic disease. They complied with therapeutic recommendations more willingly. Patients with circulatory system and rheumatic diseases more often demonstrated negative attitude, particularly among men.

Conclusion. It was manifested by smaller discipline of treatment and no healthy attitude. Chronic disease in all of the studied patients reduced the quality of life, weakened psychical shape, limited professional activity, deteriorated material conditions. The symptoms of depression intensified with the duration of the disease, were a serious problem for patients.