A fixed orientation principle was used for the examination of 203 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 123 patients with essential hypertension. Psychological adaptation mechanisms and variation therein were studied in relation to the form, severity, pattern and stage of the disease. The fixed orientation method is based on evoking illusory perception in a subject. Basic fixed orientation types are identified depending on the way one gets rid of the orientation. Variable-stable orientation mediating high motivation, dominance, impulsiveness and aggressiveness in prevalent in CHD irrespective of its form. In hypertensive patients, variable-labile orientation prevails that features impulsiveness, inconsistency, anxiety, psychasthesnia and depression. The occurrence of these parameters was unrelated to form, severity and stage of the disease. Premorbid nature of these features is postulated. The fixed orientation method is recommended as a highly informative way of identifying psychological adaptation mechanisms.