Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F45.2
- Who provides care
- A psychiatrist and a psychotherapist; coordination with a general practitioner if new symptoms appear
- Format
- Video consultations and an online CBT course; in-person tests only when there are sound medical reasons
- Duration
- Initial appointment about 60 minutes; a CBT course usually takes 12–16 sessions
- Confidentiality
- Medical confidentiality under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, secure video channel
- When it is urgent
- New acute symptoms — chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in the arms or legs, thoughts of death — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Less health anxiety, fewer checks and searches for information, and a calmer attitude to bodily sensations
What you should know
Hypochondriacal disorder is coded F45.2 in ICD-10 and belongs to the somatoform disorders; in ICD-11, hypochondriasis has been moved to the group of obsessive-compulsive or related disorders. Its main feature is not the bodily sensations themselves but how they are interpreted: ordinary bodily signals are perceived as signs of a dangerous illness. Repeated tests bring only short-term relief, after which the doubts return and demand new checks.
At Psychiatry Online, hypochondria is treated by psychiatrists and psychotherapists via video call. The online format makes it possible to start working on the problem without yet another visit to a clinic, which in itself can increase anxiety. An online psychiatrist consultation in Shymkent includes reviewing the results of tests you have already had, deciding whether any further tests are needed and drawing up a psychotherapy plan aimed at reducing health anxiety.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypochondria
- a constant belief or fear that you have a serious illness
- worry that persists despite normal test results
- frequent body checking: feeling for lumps, measuring blood pressure, pulse or temperature
- spending hours searching the internet for information about symptoms and diseases
- repeated visits to different doctors or, conversely, a fear of going to the doctor
- a need for constant reassurance from loved ones that everything is fine
- health anxiety takes up a lot of time and interferes with work and social life
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.
Causes of Hypochondria
Hypochondria develops from a combination of psychological vulnerability and experience. Anxiety as a personality trait, a tendency toward catastrophic thinking, intolerance of uncertainty and a hereditary predisposition to anxiety disorders all play a role. Often there is a history of serious illness in the person or their loved ones, the sudden death of a relative, or a childhood in a family with heightened attention to health.
The disorder is maintained by a vicious circle: heightened attention to the body amplifies ordinary sensations, interpreting them as dangerous causes anxiety, and checking, searching for information and seeking reassurance bring short-term relief and reinforce the habit. The abundance of medical information online can heighten anxiety. Hypochondria often occurs together with depression, panic disorder and generalized anxiety.
How Online Treatment for Hypochondria Works
At the first video consultation, the doctor asks which illnesses you are worried about, for how long, which tests have already been done and with what results, and how often you check your body, search for information and see doctors. Questionnaires are used to assess health anxiety. It helps to have discharge summaries and test results ready. You will need a device with a camera, a stable internet connection and a place for a confidential conversation.
A physical examination and tests cannot be done online, so if new symptoms appear that have not been evaluated before, you need to see the relevant specialist in person. Whether prescription medications can be prescribed depends on the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the requirement for an initial examination. For sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in the arms or legs, speech problems or thoughts of death, call 103 or 112.
How we help
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is the method with the strongest evidence base for health anxiety. Patients learn how anxiety works, learn to interpret bodily sensations differently, and gradually cut down on checking, searching for information and seeking reassurance. A course of 12–16 sessions is delivered online; research has confirmed the effectiveness of the remote format.
Addressing Safety Behaviors
Frequent measurements, feeling for lumps, online searches and asking loved ones questions keep anxiety going. In therapy, a plan is drawn up to gradually give up these behaviors and to practice exposure to uncertainty. The person learns to tolerate doubts without checking immediately, which over time reduces how strong and frequent they are.
Medication
For severe anxiety, co-occurring depression or when psychotherapy is not effective enough, the doctor may recommend medications from the antidepressant group. Sedatives that carry a risk of dependence are not a main treatment. Selecting treatment, monitoring tolerability and stopping it is done only by the doctor, taking your physical health into account.
Coordinated Medical Follow-Up
Instead of numerous tests with different specialists, follow-up with one general practitioner with scheduled visits is recommended. This maintains the necessary medical oversight while reducing the number of unnecessary checks. The psychiatrist helps you build such a plan and discuss which symptoms require an in-person visit.
Myths and facts
MythPeople with hypochondria just make up illnesses
FactA person with hypochondria experiences real anxiety and real bodily sensations, which they interpret as signs of illness. This is a mental health condition, not pretending, and it is treatable.
MythOne more test and the anxiety will go away
FactRepeated tests bring only short-term relief, after which the doubts return. A lasting reduction in health anxiety is achieved through psychotherapy, not new checks.
MythTreating hypochondria means you might miss a real illness
FactTreatment does not replace medical follow-up: new and unusual symptoms are evaluated by a doctor in person. Psychotherapy targets excessive anxiety and unnecessary checking, not giving up medical care.
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 Shymkent
| 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 Shymkent: same-day video appointments and two branches for in-person visits — 108 Abaya Ave., Shymkent and 126 Esimova St., Shymkent. Our mobile team works around the clock: all city districts and nearby settlements. If you live elsewhere in Shymkent and Turkistan 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 whether it is hypochondria or a real illness?
Signs of hypochondria are persistent health anxiety that continues despite normal test results and doctors’ explanations, along with frequent checking and searching for information. Having hypochondria does not rule out physical illnesses, so new symptoms are always evaluated by a doctor.
What should I do if a new symptom appears?
Contact your general practitioner according to the plan you discussed with the psychiatrist. Acute symptoms — chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in an arm or leg, speech problems — require calling 103 or 112 immediately. Familiar sensations are discussed during the psychotherapy session.
Can hypochondria be treated online?
Yes, CBT for health anxiety has been well studied in a remote format. Video sessions make it possible to work without visiting medical facilities, which often increase anxiety. In-person tests are needed only when there are sound medical reasons.
How long does treatment last?
A CBT course usually includes 12–16 sessions, which is about 3–4 months. If the condition is long-standing or combined with depression, treatment may take longer. After the course is completed, maintenance consultations are useful to prevent relapse.
How should family members respond to constant questions about health?
Repeated reassurance brings only temporary relief and keeps anxiety going. It is better to calmly express support and suggest seeing a specialist. A Psychiatry Online psychotherapist can invite relatives to a session and explain how to help without taking part in checking.
How confidential is it to seek help?
A video consultation with a psychiatrist in Shymkent takes place over a secure channel, and information about the patient is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” Disclosure is allowed only in cases expressly provided for by law.
Where can I be seen in Shymkent?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 108 Abaya Ave., Shymkent and 126 Esimova St., Shymkent. 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
