Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F45
- Who treats you
- a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist, coordinating with a general practitioner when needed
- Format
- video consultations, including a review of your test results
- Duration
- initial appointment about an hour; a course of therapy is usually 10–20 sessions
- Confidentiality
- you can reach out without your full name; your information is protected by medical confidentiality
- When it’s urgent
- acute chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness or bleeding — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- fewer physical symptoms, an understanding of their link to stress and fewer unnecessary tests
What you should know
People usually come to us after a long journey: a gastroenterologist, a cardiologist, a neurologist, dozens of tests — and the phrase “it’s just your nerves.” You write on WhatsApp that your stomach, head or back hurts, your heart pounds, and no cause has been found. The administrator finds a time, and a psychiatrist on video listens carefully to your whole story. There’s no need to make yet another trip across Almaty to a clinic — all you need is your phone and the results of the tests you’ve already had.
Psychosomatic doesn’t mean “it’s all in your head.” The physical symptoms are real, but they’re triggered and sustained by the nervous system working in a state of chronic stress: muscle tension and changes in how the gut, blood vessels and breathing function. A Psychiatry Online psychiatrist doesn’t cancel examinations by other specialists but helps you see the link between your body’s state and your emotional load. Treatment aims to reduce stress and anxiety — and the physical symptoms often fade along with them.
Signs of a Psychosomatic Disorder
- physical symptoms persist for months, and tests don’t find a sufficient cause
- pain, abdominal discomfort and headaches get worse under stress
- a racing heart, a lump in your throat or shortness of breath with no heart or lung disease found
- symptoms move around: one thing hurts, then something else bothers you
- you see doctors often, but treatment helps only for a short time
- at the same time you experience anxiety, low mood or sleep problems
- symptoms ease on vacation and return when the workweek starts
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.
Why Psychosomatic Disorders Develop
Stress affects the body through the nervous and hormonal systems: muscle tone, gut function, heart rate, breathing and pain perception all change. With short-term stress these changes pass, but with chronic stress they become entrenched and turn into a source of constant symptoms. Heredity, a tendency toward anxiety, past experience of illness and a habit of not noticing or expressing emotions, which then “go into” the body, all play a role.
Symptoms are sustained by focusing attention on the body, anxious anticipation of pain, avoiding activity and ongoing stress. The rhythm of a big city — hours in traffic, working without days off, sleep deprivation and snacking on the go — creates fertile ground for psychosomatic problems. Almaty residents often notice that their symptoms flare up during crunch periods and in the winter months, when there is less sun and movement and the city is shrouded in smog.
How an Online Consultation for Psychosomatic Symptoms Works
Gather your main test results and specialists’ reports — this lets the doctor see which causes have already been ruled out. During the video visit, the psychiatrist asks about your symptoms and how they relate to stress, as well as your sleep, mood, anxiety and lifestyle. They assess whether there is an anxiety or depressive disorder and explain how stress affects the body. At the end, you receive a plan: psychotherapy, medication if needed and recommendations on your daily routine.
A psychiatrist doesn’t make diagnoses of physical illnesses and doesn’t replace a general practitioner, gastroenterologist or cardiologist. If your examinations aren’t complete or new symptoms have appeared, the doctor will refer you to the appropriate specialist in person. For acute chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness or bleeding, call 103 or 112. A psychosomatic diagnosis is made only after organic causes have been ruled out.
How we help
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps you see the links between thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations, reduce anxious attention to your body and gradually return to activity. You learn to react to symptoms differently and to cope with stress. Video sessions follow the same structure as in-person ones and fit easily into a work schedule.
Treating Anxiety and Depression
Psychosomatic symptoms often occur alongside an anxiety or depressive disorder. A psychiatrist may suggest medications from the relevant classes that affect both your emotional state and your perception of pain. The choice is individual, taking into account other health conditions and the medications you take, and is monitored at online appointments.
Body-Oriented Techniques
Breathing exercises, muscle relaxation and mindful attention to the body help reduce chronic tension. A Psychiatry Online specialist demonstrates them during a session and helps you build them into your day — for example, using a break at work or time on the road for short exercises that ease tension and pain.
Restoring a Healthy Lifestyle
Regular sleep, movement, balanced nutrition and breaks during the day are an important part of treatment. The specialist reviews your real routine, including commuting time and workload, and helps you choose changes you can sustain. Weekend walks in the foothills or along the Esentai River embankment work too.
Myths and facts
MythPsychosomatic means the symptoms are imaginary
FactPsychosomatic symptoms are real: they’re the nervous system working in a state of chronic stress. The pain, discomfort and racing heart are genuinely felt and require treatment, not assurances that “it’s all in your head.”
MythIf the cause is psychological, no medical tests are needed
FactA psychosomatic diagnosis is made only after organic causes have been ruled out. A psychiatrist doesn’t cancel examinations and will always refer you to the appropriate specialist if new symptoms appear.
MythEvery illness has a psychological cause
FactPopular “illness — emotion” charts have no scientific basis. Stress can affect the course of many diseases, but it isn’t the sole cause of all illnesses. A doctor’s assessment is what matters.
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
How can I tell whether my symptoms are psychosomatic?
Signs include long-lasting symptoms without a sufficient organic cause, a link to stress and a combination with anxiety or low mood. But such a diagnosis can only be made after examination by the relevant specialists and a consultation with a psychiatrist.
Can I get help online?
Yes. A psychiatrist can assess how your symptoms relate to stress, prescribe treatment for anxiety and depression and provide psychotherapy by video. In-person care is needed for examinations by other specialists, lab tests and emergencies.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on how long the symptoms have lasted and how severe they are. Many people notice the first changes after a few weeks; a course of psychotherapy usually takes three to six months. If medication is prescribed, it’s continued for several months after improvement.
Do I need to stop treatment with other doctors?
No. Treatment with a psychiatrist complements care from other specialists rather than replacing it. Don’t stop prescribed medications on your own. The psychiatrist will take your diagnoses and medications into account and, when necessary, coordinate the plan with your other doctors.
Will pills help with psychosomatic symptoms?
There are no specific pills for psychosomatic disorders. If symptoms are linked to anxiety or depression, a psychiatrist may suggest medications from the relevant classes. But the main method remains psychotherapy, which helps change how your body reacts to stress.
Is online treatment convenient for suburban residents?
Yes. Video appointments are available in Kaskelen, Talgar, Konaev and any district of Almaty. This is especially convenient for those already tired of endless trips to clinics and laboratories. All you need is a stable connection and a quiet place to talk.
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
