Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F41
- Who leads care
- A psychiatrist and a CBT psychotherapist
- Format
- Video consultations, psychotherapy sessions, homework assignments
- Duration
- First appointment 50 minutes; a CBT course usually takes 12–20 sessions
- Confidentiality
- Medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health”
- When it is urgent
- Anxiety with suicidal thoughts or a sharp deterioration — call 103, 112, or 150
- Outcome
- Less anxiety, skills to manage it, and a return to everyday life
What you should know
Anxiety in itself is a normal reaction that helps us prepare for danger. It becomes a disorder when it arises without any real threat, lasts for weeks or months, comes with physical symptoms, and makes a person avoid ordinary situations. In generalized anxiety disorder, a person worries on most days about many things at once — work, health, loved ones — and cannot stop this stream of thoughts, even while understanding that it is excessive.
Why treat anxiety instead of putting up with it? Without treatment, anxiety disorders often become chronic and are joined by depression, insomnia, and alcohol misuse. At Psychiatry Online, diagnosis and treatment take place over video. This reduces extra stress: there is no need to travel from the right bank for an appointment, look for parking, and sit in a waiting room, which for an anxious person can be an ordeal in itself.
Signs and Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder
- constant worry about many things that is hard to control
- muscle tension, trembling, and a feeling of being “on edge”
- trouble falling asleep because thoughts keep spinning at bedtime
- irritability and tiring easily for no obvious reason
- a racing heart, sweating, a lump in the throat, nausea
- avoiding situations that cause anxiety or worry
- always bracing for the worst and imagining catastrophic scenarios
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 an Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders develop through a combination of inherited predisposition, temperament, and life experience. The mechanism is linked to heightened sensitivity in the systems that assess threat: the brain “switches on” anxiety too often and switches it off too slowly. Avoidance is a maintaining factor: a person steps away from a frightening situation, feels relief, and reinforces the belief that the situation is dangerous.
Chronic stress, overwork, lack of sleep, and caffeine make anxiety worse. The demanding schedules of the civil service and corporate offices, constant deadlines, and being reachable on messaging apps after hours keep the nervous system from recovering. A long winter and short days reduce activity and worsen sleep. It is also important to rule out physical causes: thyroid problems, arrhythmias, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms.
How Online Treatment for an Anxiety Disorder Works
The doctor asks when the anxiety began, in which situations it gets worse, what physical symptoms occur, and how your sleep and ability to work have changed. Standardized scales are used to assess how severe the anxiety is and then track progress. Before the appointment, it helps to write down typical anxiety-provoking situations and a list of your medications. You will need headphones and a quiet place; if it is noisy at home, you can join from your car.
Lab tests and an ECG cannot be done online: if you have palpitations, chest pain, or weight loss, the doctor will refer you for an in-person evaluation to rule out physical causes. Whether medication can be prescribed and a prescription issued depends on Kazakhstan law and the requirements for an initial in-person examination. If anxiety is accompanied by thoughts of death or suicide, call 103, 112, or the 150 helpline.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
International guidelines name CBT as the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. It targets two mechanisms: catastrophic thinking and avoidance. Patients learn to notice anxious predictions, test them, and gradually return to situations they have been avoiding. The effect of CBT lasts after the course ends, which lowers the risk of relapse.
Medication
Clinical guidelines recommend antidepressants from certain classes as first-line medications for anxiety disorders. Tranquilizers are used sparingly and in short courses because of the risk of dependence. The class of medication and the length of treatment are decided by the psychiatrist, and medication is tapered off gradually.
Self-regulation skills
Breathing techniques, muscle relaxation, and attention training help reduce physical tension and break the cycle of anxious thoughts. They do not replace the main treatment but make it more effective. At Psychiatry Online, the specialist chooses techniques you can use at the office, in a meeting, or on the way home, and practices them with you during the session.
Lifestyle changes
Regular sleep, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and physical activity lower the baseline level of anxiety. A specialist helps you fit these changes into your real schedule: for example, a weekend walk in the Saryarka or Nura district, a weekday workout at the gym when it is very windy outside, and no work email for an hour before bed.
Myths and facts
MythAnxiety is a personality trait — it can’t be changed
FactA tendency toward anxiety may be inborn, but anxiety disorders respond well to treatment. CBT and medication help most patients reduce their anxiety significantly.
MythSedatives will solve the problem
FactTranquilizers relieve symptoms for a while, but they do not treat the disorder and can cause dependence with long-term use. Clinical guidelines prioritize psychotherapy and medications that are not habit-forming.
MythIf I stop worrying, something bad will happen
FactThis is a typical belief in anxiety disorders. Worry does not prevent trouble; it only wears you out. In therapy, you test this belief and learn to plan ahead without constant anxiety.
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
Psychiatry Online in Astana: same-day video appointments and two branches for in-person visits — 72 Bogenbay batyra St., Astana and 37 Petrova St., office 23, Astana. Our mobile team works around the clock: all city districts and nearby settlements. If you live elsewhere in Astana and Akmola 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 that my anxiety has become a disorder?
If anxiety is present on most days for several weeks, is hard to control, and interferes with work, sleep, and relationships, it is a reason to see a psychiatrist. The specialist will assess how severe it is and which type of anxiety disorder it is, and will rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Is online CBT as effective as in-person therapy?
Research shows that CBT delivered by video for anxiety disorders is comparable in effectiveness to in-person therapy. What matters is doing the homework between sessions, attending regularly, and being honest with the specialist about difficulties. The online format also reduces the number of missed sessions.
How long does treatment take?
A CBT course usually takes 12–20 sessions. Medication, if needed, is continued for at least several months after improvement to lower the risk of symptoms returning. The doctor will discuss the exact timeline after the diagnosis and an assessment of the first results.
Can I manage without medication?
For mild to moderate anxiety, psychotherapy is often enough. For severe anxiety or anxiety combined with depression, combined treatment is recommended. The decision is made together with your doctor, taking into account your preferences, previous treatment experience, and any other health conditions.
Why does my heart race if there’s nothing wrong with it?
Anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system: your pulse speeds up, your muscles tense, and your breathing changes. This is a physiological reaction, not heart disease. However, if symptoms are new, the doctor recommends ruling out physical causes first.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Information about your consultation is protected by medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” You can seek help anonymously, and information may be disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by law.
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
