Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F90.0
- Who leads care
- A psychiatrist, and a CBT psychotherapist when indicated
- Format
- Video interview, online questionnaires, follow-up contacts
- Duration
- Assessment in 1–3 sessions of 50–60 minutes, treatment adjustment over weeks
- Anonymity
- Medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health”
- When it's urgent
- Thoughts of death, severe depression or intoxication — 103 or 112
- Outcome
- A confirmed or ruled-out diagnosis and a personalized plan
What you should know
Why does a highly intelligent adult spend years failing to hand in a report on time, only to do everything overnight at the very last minute? In ADHD, the frontal regions of the brain and the dopamine system, which are responsible for planning, holding on to a goal and inhibiting impulses, work differently. Tasks that offer no quick reward are literally harder to start. This is not laziness or a matter of upbringing but a neurodevelopmental difference that is visible from childhood and often goes unrecognized until adulthood.
Clinical guidelines stress that adults with ADHD need an accurate diagnosis: similar complaints occur in depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and addictions. The online format is especially convenient for this group — there is no need to plan a trip or remember about a waiting line. For a government employee whose day on the Left Bank is packed with meetings, an evening video appointment from home removes the main barrier. A doctor at Psychiatry Online conducts a structured interview and discusses treatment options.
Signs of ADHD in adults
- difficulty focusing on boring tasks, attention constantly “drifting away”
- chronic procrastination and working in last-minute mode
- losing keys, documents and your phone, forgetting meetings and agreements
- struggling to hear people out, interrupting, answering before the question is finished
- impulsive decisions: purchases, job changes, harsh words
- inner restlessness, finding it hard to sit through a long meeting
- a feeling that you are living below your potential even though you try your hardest
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.
Where ADHD comes from
ADHD is one of the most heritable mental disorders: according to twin studies, genetics accounts for a substantial part of the risk. In people with ADHD, the maturation and functioning of the brain networks responsible for executive functions — working memory, planning, shifting attention and inhibiting impulses — differ. Adverse factors during pregnancy and childbirth also play a role, but upbringing and “gadgets” on their own do not cause it.
In adulthood hyperactivity often subsides, while organizational difficulties remain and become more noticeable as responsibilities grow: work, family, finances. Symptoms get worse with lack of sleep and chronic stress. The long winter and short daylight hours disrupt sleep rhythms, and many notice that this is exactly when it is hardest to stay focused. The doctor takes these factors into account so as not to confuse ADHD with a seasonal dip in mood.
How an online ADHD assessment works
Before the appointment you fill in adult questionnaires and, if possible, ask your parents to recall your behavior as a child, since symptoms must begin before age 12. School reports and previous evaluations are useful. During the video appointment, the doctor conducts a structured interview and asks about work, studies, relationships, sleep, and your alcohol and caffeine use. Join from a quiet place without distractions — this is also part of the assessment.
Neuropsychological testing that requires in-person attendance cannot be done online, nor can some tests needed to rule out physical causes, such as thyroid function tests. Prescribing certain classes of ADHD medication is regulated more strictly than usual under Kazakhstan's legislation and may require an in-person examination and a special prescribing procedure. The doctor will tell you honestly what is possible online.
How we help
Structured assessment
The doctor uses ICD and DSM criteria and validated interviews for adults. The assessment looks at whether symptoms have been present since childhood, how pronounced they are in different areas of life and how much they impair functioning. Depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders, sleep disorders and addictions — which can look similar or co-occur with ADHD — are always ruled out.
Medication
International guidelines for adults with confirmed ADHD consider medication an effective first-line treatment. Both stimulants and non-stimulant medications are used; the availability of specific classes is determined by Kazakhstan's legislation. Treatment is adjusted gradually, with monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, sleep and appetite. Only a doctor makes the decision.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT for adults with ADHD teaches practical skills: planning, breaking tasks into steps, external reminders and dealing with procrastination and self-criticism. Sessions work very well online, and homework fits into an ordinary working day. The method is useful on its own as well as in combination with medication, especially when procrastination is severe.
Organizing your environment and routine
Simple changes have a noticeable effect: timers, calendars, a single place for keys and documents, and working in short blocks. Sleep matters too: in winter, when the sun rises late, bright light in the morning and a fixed wake-up time help. The doctor and psychotherapist help you choose what works specifically for you rather than one-size-fits-all advice.
Myths and facts
MythOnly children have ADHD
FactIn roughly half of people, symptoms persist into adulthood, although they change: difficulties with organization and inner restlessness come to the fore. Many adults are diagnosed for the first time only after the age of 30.
MythIt's just laziness and an excuse
FactADHD has a clear neurobiological basis and well-defined diagnostic criteria. People with ADHD often put in more effort than others, but the results don't match the effort. It is not a question of willpower.
MythEveryone seems to be diagnosed with ADHD these days
FactSelf-diagnosis from online videos is indeed widespread, but a medical diagnosis requires symptoms since childhood and impairment in several areas of life. That is why a careful assessment often rules out ADHD and finds a different cause.
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 Astana
| 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
You can book in Astana online or at one of two branches: 72 Bogenbay batyra St., Astana, 37 Petrova St., office 23, Astana. 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
An online appointment in Astana is first of all about privacy: no clinic visit, no waiting room. A private room and headphones are enough. Data is stored in a secure system with restricted access and does not enter any state registry without legal grounds.
Questions and answers
Can ADHD be diagnosed online?
Yes. The clinical interview and questionnaires are carried out by video, and this is sufficient in most cases. Sometimes the doctor recommends in-person neuropsychological testing or lab tests to rule out other causes. The final conclusion is formulated after all the data have been assessed.
What should I prepare for the appointment?
A list of complaints with examples, school reports or report cards, your parents' account of your childhood, and information about your sleep, current medications and alcohol use. Fill in the questionnaires in advance. The more specific the details, the faster the doctor can figure things out and the fewer sessions you will need.
Will I be prescribed medication online?
It depends on the class of medication. Some ADHD medications are dispensed under a special procedure established by Kazakhstan's legislation and may require an in-person examination. The doctor will explain the available options and the procedure, without promising a quick prescription without an assessment.
Does treatment without pills help?
Yes. Cognitive behavioral therapy, skills coaching and organizing your environment bring noticeable improvement, especially in mild to moderate cases. When symptoms are severe, the best results usually come from combining medication and psychotherapy. The plan is discussed individually.
Can ADHD occur together with depression?
Often, yes. Years of accumulated setbacks and self-criticism increase the risk of depression and anxiety, and sometimes of addictions. The doctor assesses all conditions and decides what to treat first. If you have thoughts of death, call 103 or 112.
How often are sessions needed during treatment?
While medication is being adjusted — every 1–2 weeks, then every 1–3 months for monitoring. Psychotherapy is weekly. At Psychiatry Online all sessions can be held online, including in the evening, which is convenient if you have a busy work schedule and travel often.
Where can I be seen in Astana?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 72 Bogenbay batyra St., Astana and 37 Petrova St., office 23, Astana. 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
