In concepts of psychosomatic diseases psychological factors play a vital role not only in the aetiology and treatment of the illness but also in the development of disability. The characteristics and treatment of the disease (rheumatoid arthritis) adversely influence the emotional well-being of patients, who become gloomy, spiritless and disaffected, and cannot manage stress connected with fear of the future. In rheumatoid arthritis, the factors directly connected with the disease which affect the development of emotional disturbances include: pain, advancing illness, lesions of joints and joint tissue, synovial lesions and systemic disturbances. Also included are factors independent of the illness, such as age, gender, genetic determinants, socio-economic status of the patient, coexisting diseases and environment. The article presents psychological methods used to reduce and decatastrophize pain, to prevent emotional disorders such as depression, and to make patients compliant so that they remain fit and active as long as possible.