Reviewed byAigul Serikova, MDPsychiatrist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F41.1
- Who carries it out
- a psychiatrist handles diagnosis, ruling out other disorders, and medication; a psychotherapist provides CBT
- Format
- in-person appointments at the clinic in Almaty, online follow-up, and a psychiatrist home visit when symptoms are severe
- Duration
- first changes within 4–8 weeks; a course usually lasts 3–6 months or more, with maintenance therapy for longer
- Confidentiality
- medical confidentiality, anonymous care, no referral and no registration at the state psychoneurological dispensary
- When it is urgent
- anxiety with suicidal thoughts, or anxiety with chest pain and shortness of breath: call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- anxiety no longer runs your day, sleep and ability to work recover, and you have self-help skills
What to know
A typical patient with generalized anxiety in Almaty does not come in saying “I'm anxious,” but with a long list: headaches by evening, fluctuating blood pressure, a pounding heart in a traffic jam on Sain Avenue, and thoughts at night about a loan, the children, work, and parents living alone in Talgar. They have already seen a cardiologist, had blood tests and an ultrasound, and everywhere they were told they are “healthy.” Yet the anxiety does not go away — it just finds new reasons. This is the characteristic picture a psychiatrist sees every week.
Generalized anxiety disorder (F41.1 under ICD-10) is constant, free-floating anxiety that lasts for at least several months and comes with muscle tension, restlessness, and disturbed sleep and concentration. Unlike panic attacks, there are no sudden episodes; instead, there is a background “buzz” of worry all day long. This page is about medical diagnosis and treatment by a psychiatrist; psychotherapy for anxiety and stress is covered in a separate section.
Signs of an Anxiety Disorder
- worrying nearly every day for more than six months, about all kinds of things
- being unable to relax even on weekends, at the dacha, or in the mountains
- muscle tension, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches by evening
- difficulty falling asleep because of thoughts about the future running in circles
- irritability and snapping at family or colleagues over small things
- constant checking: the children's phones, the news, symptoms online
- medical tests find no illness, yet the physical complaints remain
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
Why Anxiety Turns into a Disorder
Anxiety is a normal response to threat, but in a disorder the anxiety system runs nonstop. Contributing factors include heredity and temperament, prolonged stress, past trauma, certain physical illnesses, and substances. A big city has plenty of background stressors: noise, traffic jams, a fast pace at work, uncertain income, and a constant stream of news on your phone. A person with a predisposition lives for years in “brace for disaster” mode, and the body stops switching that mode off.
Anxiety is often intensified by attempts to cope with it: coffee and energy drinks to keep going during the day; alcohol or over-the-counter sleeping pills to fall asleep; endless checking of symptoms online. This brings short-term relief and keeps the problem going. It is also important to rule out hyperthyroidism, arrhythmias, anemia, and medication side effects: the psychiatrist will refer you for the necessary tests before discussing a diagnosis.
How Anxiety Disorder Is Treated
At the first consultation, the psychiatrist finds out how long the anxiety has been present and in which situations it arises, how it affects sleep, work, and relationships, and whether there are panic attacks, obsessions, depression, or alcohol use. Anxiety severity questionnaires and tests are used if needed. Then the plan is discussed: CBT as the first-line treatment according to NICE guidelines, and medication for severe anxiety or if the patient prefers. Follow-up visits take place every 2–4 weeks and are convenient to hold online.
Never take prescription sedatives on your own without a consultation, especially benzodiazepines: they quickly cause dependence and, with long-term use, make the condition worse. If anxiety comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting, heart problems must be ruled out first; in an acute situation, call 103. Suicidal thoughts against a background of anxiety are a reason to seek urgent help.
How we help
Diagnosis and differentiation
The psychiatrist distinguishes generalized anxiety from panic disorder, social phobia, OCD, depression with anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The choice of treatment depends on this. Physical causes are always ruled out with thyroid hormone tests, an ECG, and a complete blood count. It often turns out that a person has a combination of anxiety and depression, and treatment is then designed with both conditions in mind.
Medication treatment
If medication is indicated, long-term treatment is usually based on certain classes of antidepressants that are effective for anxiety. The effect develops over several weeks. Anxiolytics are prescribed only by a doctor and for a short course to prevent dependence. The regimen is chosen individually, and stopping is gradual and planned.
Psychotherapy as first-line treatment
According to NICE guidelines, cognitive behavioral therapy is the treatment of choice for generalized anxiety. People learn to recognize catastrophic thoughts, reduce avoidance, and tolerate uncertainty. A Akalam psychiatrist coordinates treatment with the psychotherapist, and details of the psychotherapy course are described on a separate page.
Self-help and lifestyle
The doctor explains what really helps between sessions: limiting caffeine and energy drinks, regular physical activity, a consistent sleep schedule, breathing and muscle relaxation techniques, and limiting time spent on the news. This does not replace treatment, but it noticeably speeds it up. Using alcohol to relieve anxiety is a poor strategy, and it is worth telling your doctor honestly about it.
How treatment works
- 01Call or WhatsAppThe administrator and the doctor on duty clarify the situation and tell you what to do right now.
- 02Examination or consultationThe doctor visits your home, sees you at the clinic or joins by video.
- 03Treatment planWe choose the format — at home, inpatient, psychotherapy or rehab — with a clear price.
- 04Ongoing supportYour doctor and psychotherapist stay in touch: follow-ups, family support and relapse prevention.
Myths and facts
MythAnxiety is a personality trait, and it can't be treated
FactAnxiousness as a trait and anxiety disorder are different things. The disorder has ICD-10 criteria, interferes with life, and responds well to treatment with psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication.
MythSedatives from the pharmacy will solve the problem
FactHerbal remedies may calm you slightly, but they do not treat the disorder. Prescription tranquilizers taken without a doctor's supervision cause dependence. A psychiatrist chooses treatment based on how long the condition has lasted and how severe it is.
MythIf the doctors found nothing, it must all be imagined
FactPhysical symptoms of anxiety are real: a racing heart, tension, pain, stomach problems. They are caused by the workings of the nervous system, not invented. That is why treatment targets the anxiety rather than an endless search for new illnesses.
Prices: Anxiety disorder treatment
| Anxiety disorder treatment | 20 000 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist consultation at the clinic | 15 990 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist home visit | 35 000 ₸ |
| Follow-up visit, treatment adjustment | 12 000 ₸ |
| Phone consultation | free |
Prices are approximate: the doctor confirms the exact cost after the examination, before treatment starts.
Confidential
We do not register patients with state dispensaries or share information with employers. You do not have to give your surname; doctors arrive in unmarked cars. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”.
Clinic addresses
FAQ
How is anxiety disorder different from panic attacks?
In generalized anxiety, the worry is constant, in the background, and about many different things. In panic disorder, there are sudden attacks of intense fear with a racing heart and a feeling of suffocation; between them it may be relatively calm, but there is a fear of the next attack. The two often occur together, and that shapes the treatment.
How long does treatment take?
With correctly chosen treatment, the first changes are usually noticeable within 4–8 weeks. A course of CBT takes 12–20 sessions. If medication is prescribed, it is continued for several more months after improvement to reduce the risk of relapse. Timelines are individual and are discussed at the appointment.
Can I drive while taking anxiety medication?
Some medications cause drowsiness, especially in the first few days, and the doctor always takes this into account. If you drive around Almaty every day, tell your psychiatrist: the regimen is chosen so that it does not interfere with driving, and you will get specific advice for the adjustment period.
Does alcohol help with anxiety?
In the short term, yes — which is why so many people turn to it. But within a few hours the anxiety comes back stronger, sleep gets worse, and regular drinking leads to dependence. If you notice that you drink to relax, tell your doctor: there is nothing shameful about it, and it can be treated.
Can I be treated online?
Yes, follow-up visits and many initial consultations for anxiety work well by video, which saves travel time. If the conversation shows that tests or an in-person exam are needed, the Akalam doctor will tell you so and suggest a convenient option.
Will the anxiety come back after treatment?
For some people, anxiety may intensify during periods of stress. That is why not only the therapy matters but also the skills a person gains: how to recognize early signs, what to do, and when to seek help again. A maintenance plan is drawn up together with the doctor at the end of the course.
Sources and review
Prepared by the Akalam medical editorial team based on:
- ICD-10 and ICD-11: mental and behavioural disorders
- Clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan
- Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- WHO: mental health and substance use
- NICE and APA clinical guidelines
This information is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Editorial policy