Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- R45.3
- Who leads care
- A psychiatrist, with a psychotherapist when needed
- Format
- Video consultation, questionnaires, online follow-up appointments
- Duration
- First appointment about 50 minutes
- Confidentiality
- Medical confidentiality; you do not have to name your employer
- When it is urgent
- Indifference to life with thoughts of death — call 103, 112, or 150
- Outcome
- A clear understanding of the cause, a treatment plan, and restored motivation
What you should know
Apathy differs from laziness or a temporary energy slump in that it persists: the very ability to want, to plan, and to enjoy results is diminished. A person may understand that tasks are important yet feel no urge to start them. In psychiatry, apathy is viewed through three components — behavioral (reduced initiative), cognitive (no interests or goals), and emotional (blunted feelings). This breakdown helps pinpoint which disorder the symptom is linked to.
Apathy is a common reason people come to Psychiatry Online when they cannot put into words what exactly is wrong. During a video consultation, the doctor helps break the state down into its parts and checks the main possibilities: depression, burnout, the effects of chronic stress, medication side effects, or physical causes. The format is convenient when you do not even have the energy to travel: there is no need to cross the bridge from the right bank and wait in line.
Signs and Symptoms of Apathy
- indifference to activities and people that used to matter
- difficulty starting any task, even one that takes five minutes
- blunted emotions: good things bring no joy and bad things cause no distress
- giving up hobbies, social plans, and usual activities for no apparent reason
- a sense of emptiness and pointlessness in everyday life
- neglecting self-care: meals, sleep, appearance, and health
- other people notice the changes before the person does
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 Apathy
The mechanism of apathy is linked to the brain’s reward system — the networks responsible for anticipating pleasure and connecting effort with results. In depression, long-term stress, and burnout, this system weakens: effort seems too great and the reward seems insignificant. A similar picture can occur with certain neurological diseases, hypothyroidism, anemia, after infections, and as a side effect of some medications.
Apathy often develops gradually against a background of chronic overload: long working days in government agencies and offices, overtime, and no real rest. A long winter, wind, and short days reduce outdoor activity and disrupt the sleep-wake cycle, which keeps energy levels low. That is why the doctor needs to see the whole picture: lifestyle, sleep, physical health, alcohol use, and emotional state.
How an Online Consultation for Apathy Works
The doctor asks when the indifference began, what preceded it, how your sleep, appetite, and concentration have changed, and whether you feel anxious or low. Apathy and depression rating scales are used to tell one symptom from another and to track progress. Before the appointment, it helps to write down which medications you take and when you last had blood tests. A quiet room, headphones, and a stable internet connection are all you need.
A neurological examination and lab tests cannot be done online: if hormonal, neurological, or other physical causes are suspected, the doctor will refer you for an in-person evaluation. Whether medication can be prescribed and a prescription issued depends on Kazakhstan law and the requirements for an initial in-person examination. If indifference is accompanied by thoughts of death, call 103, 112, or the 150 helpline.
How we help
Finding the cause
Treating apathy starts with answering the question “why.” The psychiatrist looks for signs of depression, anxiety, and burnout, checks for links to medications and lifestyle, and orders tests if needed. Without this step, any advice on motivation works poorly: in depression, for example, what is needed is treatment of the disorder, not a productivity course.
Behavioral activation
This method has a strong evidence base for depression and apathy. The mechanism is simple: action often comes before desire, not the other way around. Together with a specialist, you draw up a small activity plan, starting with the simplest steps, and track how your mood changes. Gradually, the reward system begins to respond to results again.
Medication
If apathy is part of a depressive or other disorder, the psychiatrist may suggest medication. The doctor chooses the class of medication based on the underlying diagnosis and any other health conditions. Importantly, some medications can themselves blunt emotions, so they are chosen and adjusted under a doctor’s supervision.
Sleep, light, and exercise routine
A consistent wake-up time, morning daylight, and regular physical activity affect circadian rhythms and energy levels. At Psychiatry Online, these recommendations are tailored to your real schedule: for example, a short walk along the Yesil River embankment during your lunch break, or the gym instead of the outdoors on windy, freezing days.
Myths and facts
MythApathy is laziness — you just need to pull yourself together
FactIn apathy, the very ability to feel motivated is reduced. Telling yourself to pull yourself together usually only deepens the guilt. It is more effective to find the cause and work on it than to demand the impossible of yourself.
MythApathy will go away on its own after a vacation
FactIf the cause is short-term fatigue, a vacation helps. But if indifference lasts more than two weeks and does not lift after rest, it is a reason to get checked for depression, burnout, or physical health problems.
MythAn online doctor won’t understand what’s wrong with me
FactThe key information for diagnosing apathy — the history of your condition, symptoms, and lifestyle — is gathered through conversation and questionnaires. If tests or an in-person examination are needed, the doctor will tell you directly.
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
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
When does apathy call for seeing a doctor?
If indifference and low energy last more than two weeks and interfere with work, relationships, and self-care, it is worth seeing a psychiatrist. Seek help immediately if you have thoughts that life is meaningless or thoughts of death. In an emergency, call 103, 112, or 150.
Are apathy and depression the same thing?
No. Apathy can be a symptom of depression, but it also occurs on its own: in burnout, neurological diseases, or while taking certain medications. Depression more often involves sadness and guilt, whereas apathy is more about emptiness and indifference.
Do I need lab tests?
Often, yes: thyroid hormones, a complete blood count, and other tests help rule out physical causes. The doctor decides which tests are needed after the consultation. Tests are done in person at any convenient laboratory, for example near your home in the Baikonur or Saryarka district.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on the cause. If apathy is linked to exhaustion, improvement may come within a few weeks after changing your routine. With depression, treatment takes months. The doctor will discuss the expected timeline after the diagnosis and the first weeks of treatment.
How should I prepare for an online consultation?
Check your connection and headphones and find a place where you cannot be overheard. Write down when the state began, what preceded it, and which medications you take. If it is hard to put into words, just describe it as it is — the doctor will help by asking the right questions.
Will anyone find out that I sought help?
No. Consultations at Psychiatry Online are confidential, and information about them is protected by medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” 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