Acute psychosis: urgent help in Almaty

Reviewed byArman Magzhanov, MDPsychiatrist, experience 24 years · updated 8 Nov 2026

Key facts

ICD-10 code

F23

Who provides care

A psychiatrist from the mobile team, with an addiction doctor if needed

Where

Home visits in Almaty and the suburbs, followed by inpatient care or monitoring at home

Duration

A home visit takes 1–2 hours; the acute phase lasts from several days to weeks

Anonymity

Paid care without dispensary registration

When it’s urgent

Weapons, threats, a suicide attempt, high fever, seizures — call 103 and 112

Outcome

Safe relief of psychosis and identification of its cause

What you should know

Psychosis is the most tense of our calls. New Year’s Eve, a sister calls: after a week of holidays and almost no sleep, her brother has locked himself in the bathroom, says they have come for him, and hears voices in the ventilation. The dispatcher speaks slowly and clearly: does he have a knife or another weapon, is he threatening himself or you, has he been drinking or taken anything? If there is an immediate threat — call 103 and the police right away. If not, the team heads out, and the dispatcher stays on the line and advises how to behave until we arrive.

In the apartment, I first assess safety: where the patient is, where the exit is, who is nearby. I speak calmly and briefly; I don’t argue with the delusions and don’t laugh. A person in psychosis is frightened, and to them the threat is real. What matters is not talking them out of it but showing that I am here to help them feel safe. At the same time, I find out from relatives when it all started and whether there was alcohol, drugs, fever, or a head injury: this determines what kind of psychosis it is and where to go next.

Signs of acute psychosis

• voices that others don’t hear, or visions of things that aren’t really there
• an unshakable conviction of being watched, persecuted, or poisoned
• speech becomes incoherent, and the person jumps from one thought to another
• sudden agitation, rushing around the apartment, or, on the contrary, freezing in one position
• the person doesn’t recognize loved ones and doesn’t know where they are or what time it is
• several days without sleep, refusing food and water out of fear
• after a drinking binge or drug use — fears, “insects,” shadows, trembling, and sweating

If two or three points apply, it is worth seeing a doctor. Phone advice is free and confidential. If life is at risk, call 103 or 112.

What causes psychosis

Psychosis is not a diagnosis but a state that can have many causes. Most often, it is a relapse of schizophrenia, a manic or depressive phase of bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms, or acute and transient psychotic disorder after severe stress. Psychosis can develop after childbirth. A common trigger is several days without sleep combined with stopping medication on one’s own, for example over the holidays or after discharge from the hospital.

A separate large group is substance-related psychosis. After a long drinking binge and abrupt withdrawal from alcohol, alcohol withdrawal delirium — delirium tremens — can develop on day 2–4. Stimulants, synthetic drugs, and cannabis can cause acute psychosis even in people without mental illness. Finally, the cause may be infections, head injuries, tumors, or metabolic disorders, which is why the doctor always assesses the person’s general health.

How we help

Myths and facts

How a home visit works

1. Call or message usThe dispatcher answers 24/7 and in 3–5 minutes checks the person's condition, age, how long the drinking or use has lasted, chronic conditions and the address. No surname needed.
2. The doctor sets offAn addiction doctor or psychiatrist comes with equipment and medication. Travel time depends on the district — usually within an hour. If inpatient care or an ambulance is needed, we'll say so straight away.
3. Examination and treatmentBlood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood sugar if needed and a neurological check. Then an IV drip or other treatment as indicated, 1–3 hours.
4. A plan for the next daysAdvice for the family on what to do overnight and tomorrow, phone follow-up and a repeat visit if needed.
5. Further treatmentCoding, psychotherapy, rehab or psychiatric follow-up — once the acute state has passed and the person is ready.

Prices in Almaty

The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.

Where to get help

In almaty you can get help at home, at one of our two branches (84 Zhandosova St., Almaty, 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty) or online if you need a consultation rather than a procedure. The dispatcher answers 24/7 and will tell you straight away which option is safest.

Confidential and private

Information about your request, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We do not share it with employers, schools, the police or neighbours; the only exceptions are those expressly set by law. A first name is enough to call us, and paid confidential treatment does not mean a registry entry.

Questions and answers