It was performed an examination of 120 patients with bipolar affective disorder (BAD), including 40 patients (33.3 %) with predomination of depressive symptoms (F31.3—5, F31.6) (BAD-D), 30 patients (25.0 %) with predomination of maniacal symptoms (F31.0—2, F31.6) (BAD-M), and 50 patients (41.7 %) in euthymic period (F31.7) (BAD-E).

It was determined that cognitive impairments in BAD were manifested as a wide range of psychopathological phenomena which were more prevalent in patients with BAD-M and BAD-D and were less prevalent in patients with BAD-E. Peculiarities of the BAD phenomenological structure for diff erent phases of the disease were detected. Patients with BAD-M had such manifestations of cognitive impairments as a increased selfesteem (56.7 %) and speed of thoughts (86.7 %), an exaggeration of their achievements and abilities (73.3 %), impairments of executive functions, fi rst of all, in problems with a decision making (83.3 %).

In patients with BAD-D cognitive impairments were registered as rigidity of thinking (52.5 %), impairments with concentration (95.0 %) and executive functions (planning and decision making) (85.0 %).

Peculiarities of cognitive impairments in diff erent BAD phases were important criteria for diagnosis of this pathology and should be taken into account in therapeutic processes and rehabilitation of such patients. A consideration of characteristics of cognitive functioning depending on BAD phase allows improving effi cacy of treatment for this category of patients.