Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F60
- Who leads care
- A psychiatrist, then a psychotherapist trained in the appropriate approach
- Format
- Video consultation, followed by regular online sessions
- Duration
- Assessment in 1–2 sessions of 50–60 minutes, therapy over months
- Anonymity
- Medical confidentiality under Kazakhstan law, nothing shared with employers
- When it's urgent
- Suicidal thoughts, aggression, severe intoxication — 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Understanding your patterns and a plan for change with measurable goals
What you should know
Why do the same conflicts repeat at every new job, and why do relationships fall apart following the same script? Sometimes the reason lies in enduring personality traits that formed by adolescence and became rigid: the person reacts the same way even when it harms them. ICD-11 describes personality disorder in terms of severity and prominent trait domains — negative affectivity, detachment, dissociality, disinhibition and anankastia. This approach helps match the right kind of help more precisely.
An online consultation is convenient because it is easier to talk about personal matters from familiar surroundings. For professionals and civil servants working tight schedules in offices on the Left Bank, an evening video appointment is a real opportunity to work things out without taking time off. A doctor at Psychiatry Online conducts a structured interview, checks for depression, anxiety or addiction, and proposes a plan in which psychotherapy comes first.
When to consider a personality disorder
- the same difficulties in relationships repeat for years with different people
- intense anxiety about being judged, avoiding social contact for fear of rejection
- excessive perfectionism and control that stop you from finishing tasks
- being unable to make a decision without other people's approval
- constant distrust and suspicion of others without obvious reasons
- a need for admiration and a painful reaction to any criticism
- people around you often complain about your behavior, while it seems strange to you
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.
How personality disorders develop
Personality traits are shaped by temperament, which is largely innate, and by experiences in childhood and adolescence. When a child grows up amid chronic stress, criticism, unpredictability or overprotection, they develop defensive strategies. In adulthood these strategies become automatic and inflexible: they are triggered even where they are no longer needed, and they create new problems.
Heredity influences emotional sensitivity, impulsivity and a tendency toward anxiety. Traumatic experiences and unstable attachments increase the risk. Personality disorders often co-occur with depression, anxiety disorders and addictions, and it is usually these co-occurring conditions that bring people to a doctor. In winter, with short daylight hours and fewer social contacts, many notice that their old strategies stop working.
How an online consultation works
By video, the doctor asks about the difficulties that concern you and about your childhood, relationships, work, sleep and alcohol use. Structured questionnaires may be used. Prepare a few examples of situations in which the problem showed up — this speeds up the assessment. Join from a quiet place with a good connection. At the end you receive an explanation, a preliminary formulation and a plan: which psychotherapy will suit you and how often to meet.
Online care does not replace in-person help if there are suicidal thoughts with a plan, severe intoxication, aggression or psychotic symptoms — in that case call 103 or 112. If medication is needed for co-occurring disorders, prescribing and prescriptions follow Kazakhstan's legislation, sometimes after an in-person examination. The online format is not suitable for a forensic psychiatric evaluation.
How we help
Structured assessment
The doctor relies on ICD-10 and ICD-11 criteria and assesses how pronounced the traits are and how much they impair functioning. It is important to rule out other conditions that can look similar: bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders and the effects of trauma. The choice of psychotherapy and the prognosis depend on an accurate formulation.
Psychotherapy as the foundation
Cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based therapy and psychodynamic approaches all have proven effectiveness. The method is chosen according to the type of disorder and the person's goals. Sessions are held online once a week, and consistency matters more here than occasional “breakthroughs” or insights.
Treating co-occurring disorders
If there is depression, an anxiety disorder or insomnia, the psychiatrist treats it in parallel: this reduces suffering and gives the person the strength to engage in psychotherapy. Medication from the relevant classes is used and prescribed in accordance with Kazakhstan's rules. Addictions require a separate program, including input from an addiction specialist; otherwise psychotherapy stalls.
Working with the people around you
Loved ones often grow tired of repeated conflicts. Family consultations help them understand what lies behind the behavior and how to set boundaries while still offering support. Sessions take place online, and participants can join from different parts of the city or from other cities without spending time on the road or taking time off work.
Myths and facts
MythPersonality can't be changed
FactTraits are indeed stable, but the severity of a disorder decreases over time, especially with psychotherapy. The goal of treatment is not to “remake” the person but to make their reactions more flexible and reduce the harm they cause.
MythPersonality disorder is an insult
FactIt is a medical diagnosis with strict criteria, not a label. It helps choose the right treatment. The doctor discusses the formulation with care and explains what it does and does not mean.
MythThere are pills to fix your character
FactThere are no pills for personality disorders. Medication is used for co-occurring depression, anxiety and insomnia. The main treatment is psychotherapy, and its effectiveness is backed by research.
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
| Urgent online psychiatrist consultation | 18 000 ₸ |
| Consultation for relatives | 15 000 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist home visit | 45 000 ₸ |
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
How can I tell whether it's a personality trait or a disorder?
A disorder is diagnosed when traits are persistent, show up in different areas of life and cause suffering or serious problems in relationships and at work. If this has been troubling you or the people around you for years, it makes sense to see an online psychiatrist and get to the bottom of it.
Do I need to take tests?
Questionnaires help, but they do not make the diagnosis. What matters most is the clinical interview, an analysis of your life history and examples of specific situations. Sometimes the doctor will ask you to fill in forms before the appointment. The results are discussed during the video consultation, and you receive a clear explanation.
How long does therapy last?
Usually from six months to several years, depending on the type and severity. Many people notice the first changes after 2–3 months of regular sessions. The online format lets you keep up the rhythm even during the long winter, when getting around the city becomes an ordeal.
Can I come together with my partner?
Yes. In addition to individual work, joint consultations are possible. The psychotherapist will help you understand how personality traits affect the relationship and work out rules for communicating. Individual information about your treatment is disclosed to your partner only with your consent.
Will the diagnosis affect my job?
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 employer. The only exceptions are those provided for by law. Discuss with your doctor whether you need any documents.
Where do I start if it's hard to make up my mind?
A first video consultation is enough: you describe what is bothering you and receive an explanation without pressure or judgment. At Psychiatry Online you can choose a convenient time, including in the evening, and join from home. Many people say that the structure of the conversation itself already reduces their anxiety.
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