Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F60
- Who leads care
- a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist
- Format
- video consultations and online psychotherapy sessions
- Duration
- diagnostic appointment 50–60 minutes, usually 2–3 meetings
- Confidentiality
- information is protected by medical confidentiality under Kazakhstan law
- When it is urgent
- a threat to self or others, psychotic symptoms — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- understanding your patterns, a psychotherapy plan, treatment of co-occurring disorders
What you should know
In ICD-10, personality disorders are described under category F60 and include paranoid, schizoid, dissocial, emotionally unstable, histrionic, anankastic (obsessive-compulsive), anxious (avoidant) and dependent personality disorders. ICD-11 has moved to a dimensional model: a personality disorder is first rated by severity and then described by its dominant traits — negative affectivity, detachment, dissociality, disinhibition and anankastia.
Personality disorders often occur together with depression, anxiety and addictions and make them harder to treat. Many people come not with a question about their personality but because of recurring conflicts, emotional burnout or problems at work. An online psychiatrist consultation in Aktau lets you explore these difficulties in a calm setting, receive a professional assessment and get concrete recommendations for further care.
When to See a Psychiatrist
- similar conflicts that keep repeating across different relationships and workplaces
- difficulty controlling emotions, irritability or emotional coldness
- marked suspiciousness or a constant expectation of being deceived
- a strong need for others’ approval and fear of making decisions on your own
- avoiding social contact out of fear of criticism and feelings of inadequacy
- excessive perfectionism and rigidity that interfere with work and rest
- impulsivity and disregard for rules and for the consequences of your actions
If at least two points apply and the state lasts longer than two weeks, it is worth seeing a specialist. Phone consultation is free. If life is at risk, call 112 or 103.
How Personality Disorders Develop
Personality traits are shaped by temperament, which is largely inherited, and by experiences with close people in childhood and adolescence. A personality disorder is diagnosed when these traits become inflexible, show up across a wide range of situations and interfere with adaptation. As a rule, the signs are noticeable from adolescence and persist into adulthood.
Described risk factors include traumatic experiences, emotional neglect, inconsistent parenting, chronic family conflict and neurobiological differences in regulating emotions and impulses. No single factor is decisive. It is important to remember that the intensity of traits can change over a lifetime, and psychotherapy can significantly reduce their impact on everyday life.
Online Consultation for Personality Disorders
Before the appointment, it helps to write down which situations keep repeating and cause the most difficulty, as well as details of any previous treatment. The psychiatrist conducts a clinical interview, uses standardized questionnaires if needed, and assesses co-occurring disorders and risks. Psychotherapy options and possible medication support are discussed. An online psychiatrist consultation in Aktau takes place over a secure video connection; all you need is headphones and a private room.
The remote format is not suitable in an acute psychotic state, with marked aggression, a risk of self-harm or severe intoxication — in these cases emergency help via 103 or 112 is needed. In complex cases, clarifying the diagnosis may require formal psychological testing by a clinical psychologist and an in-person examination, and the doctor will let you know about this in advance.
How we help
Psychotherapy as the main treatment
International guidelines name psychotherapy as the first-choice treatment. Approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based therapy and psychodynamic approaches. The choice depends on the leading traits, the patient’s goals and preferences; a course usually lasts several months or longer.
Treatment of co-occurring conditions
Depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia and addictions often accompany personality disorders and add to the suffering. The psychiatrist assesses them and, when indicated, considers antidepressants, mood stabilizers or other groups of medications. Prescribing and issuing prescriptions follow the rules of Kazakhstan law.
Building skills
The work focuses on recognizing your automatic reactions, regulating emotions, communication and problem-solving skills. The patient is given practical exercises between sessions. The online format is convenient for short supportive meetings that help apply skills in real situations at home, at work and in relationships.
Family counseling
Loved ones often feel exhausted and confused. Family consultations help them understand behavior patterns, reduce the number of conflicts and agree on boundaries. With the patient’s consent, relatives can take part in some sessions by video, even if they live in different places. Medical information can be discussed only with the patient’s permission.
Myths and facts
MythYou can’t change your character
FactBasic temperament is relatively stable, but ways of reacting, thinking and behaving can change. Psychotherapy helps make traits more flexible and reduces their negative impact on life and relationships.
MythA personality disorder is just a bad character
FactIt is a clinically defined condition that involves real suffering for the person themselves. The assessment is based on clear diagnostic criteria, not on moral judgments about someone’s personality.
MythThe diagnosis is for life
FactCurrent research shows that the severity of personality disorders can decrease over time, especially with treatment. The diagnosis is reviewed when the clinical picture changes.
How an online appointment works
- Message or callWrite on WhatsApp or call — our coordinator replies within minutes, day or night. You don't have to give your surname.
- Doctor and timeWe match you with a psychiatrist, addiction specialist or psychotherapist and agree on a time — often the same day.
- Video consultationA secure 50–60 minute video call: the doctor takes a detailed history and uses standardised scales if needed.
- Treatment planYou receive a clear summary, recommendations and a plan: what we do online and what needs an in-person visit or home call.
- Follow-upOnline follow-up sessions, messenger contact with your doctor, and treatment adjustments until you get a stable result.
Prices in Aktau
| Urgent online psychiatrist consultation | 18 000 ₸ |
| Consultation for relatives | 15 000 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist home visit | 45 000 ₸ |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
You can book in Aktau online or at one of two branches: Building 36, Microdistrict 6, Aktau, Building 6, Microdistrict 17, Aktau. Our coordinator replies on WhatsApp within minutes at any time, and a doctor usually connects by video the same day; home visits are available too — all city districts and nearby settlements.
Confidential and private
Information about your visit, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We never share it with your employer, school or relatives without your consent; the only exceptions are those expressly set out by law. For an online consultation your first name is enough, video runs over a secure channel and nothing is recorded without your consent.
Questions and answers
How does a psychiatrist differ from a psychologist in this case?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who carries out differential diagnosis, rules out other mental disorders and prescribes medication if needed. A psychologist or psychotherapist provides long-term psychotherapy. At Psychiatry Online, these specialists work together in a coordinated way.
How many meetings are needed for an assessment?
Usually 2–3 consultations: the first covers the history and a description of the difficulties, and the next ones clarify patterns, look at co-occurring conditions and discuss the plan. In complex cases, the doctor recommends additional psychological testing.
Does medication help?
There are no specific medications for treating personality disorders. Medication is used to address individual symptoms — anxiety, depression, impulsivity — and is always combined with psychotherapy. The doctor decides on prescribing on an individual basis.
Can psychotherapy be done entirely online?
For most patients, yes. Research shows that video sessions are comparably effective to in-person meetings when the patient’s condition is stable. Patients in Aktau can choose a convenient time, and if their condition worsens, the doctor will suggest an in-person format.
What if it’s my loved ones who notice the problems, not me?
This is a common situation. A consultation will help you calmly look at conflicts and feedback, assess whether there are signs of a disorder and identify what can be changed. Seeking help does not mean that a diagnosis is automatically made.
How is my data protected?
Information about your visit is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. Video calls take place over a secure channel, no recordings are made without the patient’s consent, and data is not shared with third parties.
Where can I be seen in Aktau?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: Building 36, Microdistrict 6, Aktau and Building 6, Microdistrict 17, Aktau. Both are open 24/7; home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Psychiatry Online medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) and APA (US) guidelines on the treatment of mental disorders
- WHO recommendations on telemedicine and digital health
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy