OBJECTIVE To examine how coping styles among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) change over time and how patients' coping styles after 5 years are associated with disability pension. METHODS Seventy-six MS patients and 94 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were examined at baseline and 5 years later. This included a neurological examination and information on disability pension and a questionnaire assessing coping (the COPE scale). Controls were registered at baseline only. RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, MS patients were more passive in coping with disease related distress. This was even more pronounced 5 years later. Disability pensioned patients employed more social support, venting of emotions and behavioural disengagement at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that patients with MS employ coping styles that may be inadequate and this is not improved by adaption over time. Although patients also use strategies to enhance their lives, these findings suggest that there may be a potential for improving the lives of patients with MS through interventions that may enhance adequate coping with the disease.