Reviewed by: Pavel Kornilov, MD, psychiatrist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F50
- Who leads care
- A psychiatrist and a psychotherapist; a primary care doctor and dietitian in person when indicated
- Format
- Video consultations, regular online sessions, family sessions
- Duration
- First appointment 50–60 minutes, treatment from several months
- Anonymity
- Medical confidentiality under Kazakhstan law; full name not required
- When it's urgent
- Fainting, irregular heartbeat, thoughts of death — 103 or 112; young people — 150
- Outcome
- Fewer symptoms, restored regular eating and improved self-esteem
What you should know
Why can thoughts about food and the body take up almost all of a person's time, even when they understand it is harmful? In eating disorders a vicious circle forms: restriction intensifies cravings, lapses cause shame, and shame leads to further restriction or compensatory behavior. Starvation itself changes how the brain works — it heightens anxiety, rigid thinking and preoccupation with food. That is why willpower alone is not enough, and guidelines insist on professional help.
Many people find it hard to come to an in-person appointment: shame, fear of judgment and anxiety in public places get in the way. A video consultation from home removes some of these barriers. For a student in Yesil district or a young mother on the Right Bank who finds it hard to leave the house in the winter months, the online format makes it possible to start the conversation without unnecessary stress. A doctor at Psychiatry Online does not weigh or judge you: the goal is to understand what is happening and build a safe plan.
Warning signs to pay attention to
- thoughts about food, weight and body shape take up most of the day
- rigid eating rules and fear of “forbidden” foods
- episodes of binge eating with loss of control followed by shame
- compensatory behavior after eating: fasting, exhausting workouts
- avoiding shared meals, eating in secret, lying about food
- self-esteem depends almost entirely on body shape and the reflection in the mirror
- weakness, dizziness, hair loss, menstrual irregularities
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 eating disorders develop
Eating disorders arise where biology, psychology and environment intersect. Heredity influences a tendency toward anxiety and perfectionism, as well as the way appetite is regulated. Psychologically, low self-esteem, difficulty expressing emotions and a need for control are important: food becomes one of the few areas where a person feels in charge. Diets often trigger the process because restriction alters hunger and fullness signals.
The environment adds pressure: the cult of thinness on social media, comments about appearance, bullying, and sports with body-shape requirements. Flare-ups often coincide with stress — exams, moving, a breakup. The long winter and short daylight hours increase isolation and lower mood, and for some people food becomes a way to cope with emptiness. It is important to understand that an eating disorder is not a choice or a whim.
How online treatment for eating disorders works
At the first video consultation, the doctor calmly asks about your eating, your attitude toward your body, emotions, sleep and other difficulties. You do not need to show yourself full-length on camera — no assessment of appearance is required. Have recent blood test and ECG results ready, if you have them, along with a list of medications. As a result you receive an explanation, a risk assessment and a plan: psychotherapy, how often to meet and which in-person tests are needed.
Physical health cannot be fully assessed online: measurements, blood tests and ECGs are done in person, and in eating disorders this is a mandatory part of monitoring. In case of fainting, irregular heartbeat, sudden weakness or refusal to eat and drink, call 103 or 112. Severe cases may require inpatient treatment. Teenagers and young people in crisis can call the 150 helpline.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Enhanced CBT for eating disorders (CBT-E) is one of the most thoroughly studied treatments for bulimia and binge eating disorder and is also used for anorexia in adults. It helps restore regular eating, break the cycle of restriction and lapses, and loosen the link between self-esteem and the body. Sessions take place online, and a food and thought diary is kept in an app or notebook.
Family therapy
For teenagers with anorexia, guidelines put a family-based approach first: parents temporarily take responsibility for meals, while the psychotherapist supports and coaches them. Sessions can be held online with all family members joining. This helps preserve a familiar environment and reduces stress.
Medical monitoring
Eating disorders affect the heart, electrolytes, hormones and bones. That is why the psychiatrist coordinates in-person examinations by a primary care doctor and, if necessary, by an endocrinologist or cardiologist. The results are discussed at the online appointment. If the risks are high, the doctor recommends inpatient care, where nutrition can be safely restored under supervision.
Treating co-occurring conditions
Eating disorders are often accompanied by depression, anxiety disorders, OCD and self-harming behavior. The psychiatrist assesses and treats these in parallel; if necessary, medication from the relevant classes is discussed in accordance with Kazakhstan's rules. Medication does not replace psychotherapy, but it can reduce anxiety and help the person engage with treatment.
Myths and facts
MythOnly thin girls get eating disorders
FactEating disorders occur in people of any gender, age and body size. In bulimia and binge eating disorder, weight is often normal or above average. You cannot judge the severity of the condition, or whether help is needed, by appearance.
MythYou just need to start eating normally
FactIf that were possible, eating disorders would not be illnesses. Changes in thinking, anxiety and ingrained rituals keep the symptoms going. Comprehensive help is needed — psychotherapy, medical monitoring and support from loved ones.
MythIt's a way of getting attention
FactEating disorders are far more often hidden than displayed: the person feels intense shame. This is a serious illness with medical risks, not an attempt to manipulate. A gentle, non-judgmental attitude increases the chances that the person will seek help.
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
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 eating disorders be treated entirely online?
Psychotherapy and psychiatric consultations — yes, and this works. But physical health needs to be monitored in person: blood tests, ECGs and examinations by a primary care doctor. If the risks are high, inpatient care is required. The doctor will help you combine online sessions and in-person monitoring in a way that is safe.
Will I be weighed during the video appointment?
No. There is no weighing at an online consultation, and numbers are not discussed unless necessary. Medical measurements are taken in person by a primary care doctor and discussed with sensitivity. The main focus of the conversation is how you feel, think and behave, not your appearance.
What should I do if I suspect my child has an eating disorder?
Don't blame them or stage checks at the dinner table. Talk calmly about how they are feeling, without commenting on their appearance. Book a consultation: the doctor will explain what the family should do. In case of fainting, refusal to eat or thoughts of death, call 103 or 112; teenagers can also call the 150 helpline.
How long does treatment take?
Usually from several months to a year or more, depending on the type and severity. Improvement often begins in the first weeks as regular eating is restored. Online sessions help avoid interrupting therapy, especially in the winter months when it is harder to leave the house.
Is medication needed for eating disorders?
Psychotherapy is the foundation of treatment. Medication may be prescribed for co-occurring depression, anxiety or OCD, or for certain forms of binge eating. The decision is made by a doctor after an assessment, and prescribing follows Kazakhstan's legislation.
How is anonymity protected?
Information about your visit is protected by medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is not passed on to your school, university or employer. At Psychiatry Online you can start a consultation without giving your full name. Use headphones and a place where no one can overhear you.
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