Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F31
- Who treats you
- a psychiatrist, with a psychotherapist for ongoing support when needed
- Format
- video consultation from home or the office; follow-up visits online
- Duration
- initial appointment 50–60 minutes, follow-up visits 25–30 minutes
- Confidentiality
- medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- When it’s urgent
- suicidal thoughts, psychotic symptoms or dangerous behavior during mania — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- a clear diagnosis, a treatment plan, relapse prevention and a follow-up schedule
What you should know
It usually starts with a short message. You write on WhatsApp that your mood sometimes sinks for weeks and at other times soars so high that you barely sleep and take on ten projects at once. The administrator finds a time, sends you a link, and within a couple of hours a psychiatrist on video is asking you in detail how your phases have changed over time. For someone living in Almaty, that means no sitting in traffic on Al-Farabi Avenue and no asking for time off work just to see a doctor for the first time.
Bipolar disorder is often mistaken for years for ordinary depression or a “difficult personality,” and people end up on treatment that ignores the manic phase. That is why the first task of a Psychiatry Online doctor is to reconstruct the timeline of your episodes, assess the risks and decide whether an in-person evaluation is needed. From there you build a plan together: medication support, psychoeducation, work on sleep patterns and early warning signs of relapse, while your family gets clear, practical instructions.
Signs It’s Time to See a Psychiatrist About Bipolar Disorder
- periods of low mood alternate with weeks of unusual elation and energy
- during the “high” phase you need very little sleep yet don’t feel tired
- risky spending, impulsive decisions or conflicts at work start to appear
- your speech speeds up, your thoughts race, and people can’t keep up with you
- in the depressive phase your energy, interest and ability to plan disappear
- antidepressants have previously caused sudden agitation or irritability
- blood relatives have had similar mood swings or a bipolar diagnosis
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.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder
International clinical guidelines describe bipolar disorder as a condition with a strong hereditary component: the risk is higher if a parent, brother or sister has it. It involves disrupted regulation of mood and circadian rhythms at the level of brain function. It is not a weakness of character or the result of upbringing, so expecting a person to simply “pull themselves together” makes no sense — what is needed is consistent medical care.
Episodes are often triggered by external factors: chronic sleep deprivation, a shifted routine, night shifts, flights, severe stress, and alcohol or stimulant use. The pace of a big city, where the workday easily stretches to midnight and weekends go to overtime, is a strain in itself. That is why every treatment plan includes a section on sleep and daily routine: a stable daily rhythm is one of the most effective ways to reduce how often episodes occur.
How an Online Appointment for Bipolar Disorder Works
You choose a convenient time, join via a link from your smartphone or laptop and talk to the psychiatrist somewhere quiet — at home in the Bostandyk district, in a parked car or in a meeting room. It helps to write down in advance the dates of past episodes, a list of your current medications and any medical records you have. The doctor asks structured questions about your phases, sleep and substance use, may suggest self-rating scales and a mood diary, and then explains the plan and the date of your next appointment.
Online care can’t replace everything. If the doctor sees severe mania, psychotic symptoms, a risk to life or a need for urgent hospitalization, they will refer you for an in-person visit or inpatient care; if a life is in danger, call 103 or 112. Blood tests required for some groups of medications are done in person at a laboratory. Whether a prescription can be issued depends on Kazakhstan’s legal requirements for an initial examination, and the doctor will explain this honestly at the first appointment.
How we help
Medication to Stabilize Mood
Treatment is built on mood stabilizers and, when needed, atypical antipsychotics and other classes of medication, which only a doctor selects, taking into account the current phase, other health conditions and your past experience. Online follow-up makes it easy to track effectiveness and tolerability: short video visits allow the plan to be adjusted quickly, without waiting in line for a specialist or spending an hour on the road.
Psychoeducation
You and your family learn how the disorder works, how hypomania differs from simply being in a good mood and why treatment must never be stopped on your own. The doctor helps you put together a personal list of early warning signs of relapse. This knowledge eases your family’s anxiety and gives everyone a clear algorithm: what to do if you notice lost sleep, faster speech or a sudden drop in activity.
Sleep and Daily Rhythm
Consistent wake-up and bedtimes, limiting night work and being careful with flights and time-zone changes are not magazine tips but part of the treatment. The specialist goes through your actual schedule, including late meetings and commutes across the whole city, and works with you to find changes you can sustain over the long term.
Psychotherapy and Support
Cognitive behavioral therapy and family-focused approaches help you notice signals of a phase shift, cope with the consequences of past episodes and rebuild relationships. The Psychiatry Online psychotherapist works hand in hand with the psychiatrist, so you keep one unified plan, and sessions take place online in the same familiar format.
Myths and facts
MythBipolar disorder is just frequent mood swings
FactOrdinary mood swings last hours and are tied to events. In bipolar disorder, episodes last days or weeks and change sleep, activity, thinking and behavior, and the diagnosis is made according to ICD criteria after a thorough assessment by a doctor.
MythIf you feel fine now, you can stop treatment
FactA stable period is often the result of therapy. Stopping medication on your own is one of the most common causes of a new episode. Any change to your regimen should be discussed with your psychiatrist, who may gradually adjust the plan once your condition is stable.
MythAn online psychiatrist can’t handle such a complex diagnosis
FactDiagnosing bipolar disorder relies above all on a detailed clinical interview and the history of episodes, and this works well over video. When an in-person examination, lab tests or inpatient care are needed, the doctor will tell you so directly and help arrange the next step.
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 Almaty
| Online psychiatrist consultation (50–60 min) | 15 000 ₸ |
| Follow-up online consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| One month of online psychiatric care | 60 000 ₸ |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
Psychiatry Online in Almaty: same-day video appointments and two branches for in-person visits — 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty and 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Our mobile team works around the clock: all city districts and nearby settlements. If you live elsewhere in Almaty and Almaty Region, starting online is usually easiest.
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
Can bipolar disorder be diagnosed during an online consultation?
A psychiatrist can often reach a preliminary conclusion at the very first video appointment, based on the interview, the history of your episodes and information from family members. A final diagnosis sometimes requires observation over time, additional tests or an in-person examination — the doctor will tell you which steps you specifically need.
What should I do if a loved one is in a manic phase and refuses help?
You can book a consultation for yourself and get advice on how to talk to them and what to watch for. Involuntary treatment is only possible in the manner established by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In cases of aggression, a threat to life or psychotic symptoms, call 103 or 112 immediately.
How often will I need to see the doctor?
While treatment is being adjusted, usually once every one to two weeks, then less often. During stable remission, check-ins every one to three months are enough. The online format means you don’t have to miss them, even if you’ve moved to Talgar or travel often for work.
Will online treatment work if I live in Kaskelen or Konaev?
Yes. A video appointment doesn’t depend on your district or suburb — all you need is a stable connection and a quiet place. If an in-person step is required, such as lab tests, an examination or inpatient care, the doctor will suggest where it’s most convenient to go so you don’t make unnecessary trips into Almaty.
Can I plan a pregnancy if I have bipolar disorder?
Yes, but it should be planned in advance together with your psychiatrist and an obstetrician-gynecologist, because some medications need to be reviewed. If you become pregnant, don’t stop treatment on your own — contact your doctor right away to discuss a safe plan.
Will my employer find out about my diagnosis?
No. Information about your visit is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and may be disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by law. Certificates and documents are issued to you personally and only at your request.
Where can I be seen in Almaty?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty and 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. 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
