Psychiatry: confidential help for adults, adolescents and older adults

Psychiatry

Detailed service pages are available in Russian.

When it is worth seeing a psychiatrist

Many people think a psychiatrist is only for severe mental illness, but in practice most patients come with problems that are common and very treatable: persistent low mood, constant worry, sudden attacks of fear, exhaustion that does not go away after rest, or sleep that has become shallow and broken. If such difficulties last for several weeks, affect work, study or relationships, or make you feel you are no longer yourself, a consultation is a reasonable step.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can assess both psychological and physical factors, distinguish between conditions that look similar, and, when needed, prescribe medication. Seeing a psychiatrist does not mean you will automatically receive pills — often the plan includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and regular follow-up, and medication is discussed only when it is truly indicated.

• Low mood, loss of interest or energy lasting more than two weeks
• Constant anxiety, tension or sudden panic attacks
• Insomnia or, on the contrary, excessive sleepiness
• Intrusive thoughts or repetitive actions that are hard to control
• Unusual perceptions, suspiciousness or confused thinking
• Changes in behavior noticed by family members

Consultations and diagnostics

The first appointment is a detailed conversation in which the doctor asks about your complaints, how and when they started, your medical history, current medications, sleep, appetite and life circumstances. It is important to be honest: everything you say is protected by medical confidentiality. At the end, the psychiatrist explains their view of the situation in plain language and suggests a treatment plan.

When needed, the assessment is supplemented by psychological testing carried out by a clinical psychologist, as well as EEG and other neurodiagnostic tests. These help clarify the diagnosis, rule out conditions that require a different approach, and measure progress over time. We also issue psychiatric certificates when a formal medical report is required.

Depression, anxiety and stress-related conditions

Depression, generalized anxiety, panic attacks and burnout are among the most frequent reasons people come to us. They are real medical conditions, not a lack of willpower, and they respond well to treatment that combines modern evidence-based medication, when appropriate, and psychotherapy. We also help with post-traumatic stress, acute reactions to stressful events, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias and social anxiety.

For many expats, relocation itself — a new language, distance from family, a demanding job — can trigger or worsen anxiety and depression. Talking to a doctor in English can make it much easier to describe subtle feelings accurately, so do not hesitate to ask for an English-speaking specialist.

Severe mental health conditions

Our psychiatrists have experience treating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, acute and chronic psychotic states and personality disorders. In these conditions, the right choice of medication, careful monitoring of side effects and regular contact with the doctor are especially important. We aim for stable long-term remission and the return of the person to normal everyday life.

When symptoms become acute, we can provide urgent care at home, arrange transport to a psychiatric inpatient unit and support the family through the process. After stabilization, we continue outpatient follow-up and offer psychosocial rehabilitation to help restore social and work skills.

Sleep, body and mind

Insomnia is often both a symptom and a cause of other mental health problems. We look for its underlying reasons — anxiety, depression, irregular schedules, alcohol use, medications — and build a plan that may include sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral techniques and, only when justified, medication with a clear end date.

We also work with psychosomatic disorders, when emotional stress shows up as physical symptoms, and with health anxiety, when constant fear of illness leads to repeated tests and doctor visits. Fatigue, apathy and asthenic states after illness or long-term overload are treated as well, with attention to both physical and psychological factors.

Children, adolescents and older adults

Child and adolescent psychiatrists assess emotional and behavioral problems, attention difficulties and ADHD, anxiety, school refusal, mood changes in teenagers and early signs of more serious conditions. We support families of children with autism spectrum conditions and help parents understand what kind of assistance is most useful. Parents are always involved in the process.

For older adults, we provide assessment of memory and thinking problems, treatment of dementia-related behavioral symptoms, depression and sleep disturbances. Home visits are especially valuable here, as many older patients find it difficult to travel and feel calmer in familiar surroundings. We also advise relatives on everyday care.

Treatment methods

We follow the principles of evidence-based medicine and choose methods whose effectiveness has been confirmed by research. Medication, when needed, is selected individually, taking into account other health conditions and the medicines you already take, and is adjusted step by step during follow-up visits.

Psychotherapy plays a central role. Our specialists use cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and other structured approaches. For certain conditions, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be offered as part of the treatment plan. For people who need more intensive support, a day hospital or our round-the-clock inpatient unit is available.

• Individual medication selection and adjustment
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy
• TMS therapy where indicated
• Day hospital and 24/7 inpatient unit
• Psychosocial rehabilitation

Crisis care and emergencies

In an acute crisis — severe agitation, a psychotic episode, a sudden breakdown after a traumatic event — our psychiatrists can come to you at any time of day or night. The doctor will assess the situation, provide initial care, and decide together with you whether treatment at home is possible or hospitalization is needed.

If there is an immediate threat to life, such as a suicide attempt or aggressive behavior that puts others at risk, call 112 or 103 first. For children and young people in distress, the helpline 150 is available. After emergency services have helped, we can continue treatment.

Frequently asked questions