ADHD Testing San Diego, Meds & Expert Treatment | Ana Lopez Hopkins

By Ana Lopez Hopkins, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Published on June 6, 2024 | Last updated on June 11, 2025

Ana Lopez Hopkins, San Diego Bipolar Specialist

About The Author: Ana Lopez Hopkins MSN, PMHNP-BC

As a board-certified San Diego ADHD specialist with nearly a decade of dedicated experience, Ana Lopez Hopkins, MSN, PMHNP-BC, understands the unique challenges of ADHD. She’s committed to providing accurate testing, precise diagnosis, and deeply personalized treatment that truly makes a difference. Appointments can be in person, or for your convenience, she offers Telehealth appointments so you can do your appointment online or on your phone. Ana also offers ADHD medication management and meaningful care to individuals of all ages, from kids to adults and teens. Her compassionate, non-judgemental process ensures you feel understood, heard, and valued as a person, paving the way for an improvement in your mental health.

Now Accepting New Patients

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“Excellent care, highly recommend!” – A Satisfied Patient (Google Reviews)

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Now Accepting New Patients – Get Assessed Today

I’m currently accepting new patients, kids, teens, and adults in San Diego for ADHD treatment, diagnosis, medication management, and testing. Listen, I know reaching out for help takes serious courage and strength, especially after you’ve tried other providers with little to no progress or you are making your very first appointment. You deserve to feel stable, understood, comfortable, and hopeful about your future again. Let’s start this voyage together.

The best way to contact me is by email.

Send Email To San Diego’s Trusted ADHD Specialist.

Telehealth Appointments for ADHD

Isn’t it a big hassle to drive to your appointments? Good News! I offer Telehealth appointments! Some of my patients tell me they skipped appointments because the thought of getting dressed felt impossible. That’s exactly why I offer secure Telehealth video appointments you can do over your smartphone or computer. You can meet with me from the comfort of your home, your car, or even from the beach.

Learn More & Schedule Your Virtual Visit

Your ADHD Treatment Journey: Quick Navigation.

Understanding ADHD: I’m Here To Help

Does it feel like your brain is always running a million miles an hour and you can’t focus on things? Or maybe you’re constantly forgetting important stuff, no matter how hard you try to stay organized? Don’t worry, there’s support available.

I’m Ana Lopez Hopkins, and I help people just like you right here in San Diego who are dealing with ADHD. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I work with children, teens, and adults to treat ADHD challenges and get you on the right track.

“An estimated **7 million (11.4%) U.S. children aged 3–17 years** have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, according to a national survey of parents using data from 2022.”

Best ADHD Specialist in San Diego | Ana Lopez Hopkins

I’m not your typical healthcare provider and sure, I’ve got all the training and credentials, but what really matters is that I truly understand and care about what you’re going through. Your brain is just wired differently, and that’s perfectly OK!

With me, I’ll provide ADHD assessment, testing, diagnosis and medication management. Your treatment will include:

A judgment-free zone where you can be totally yourself
Real-world strategies that actually work for busy San Diegans
Appointment times that fit your life (early mornings by the beach, anyone?)
ADHD Telehealth appointments so you don’t have to battle the 5 or 805 traffic
Help dealing with schools or your workplace when needed
And yes, We accept most insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay options.

Think You Might Have ADHD? Here’s What I Actually See All The Time

Listen, I’ve lost count of how many brilliant people have sat across from me in my La Jolla office, convinced they’re somehow “broken” or just not trying hard enough. Maybe that’s you right now?

Here’s the thing – ADHD doesn’t look like what most people think it does. Forget the hyperactive kid bouncing off classroom walls. That’s just one common story in a much bigger book.

You ever have that feeling when you’re driving down the 5 and suddenly realize you’ve been zoned out for the last ten minutes? Your ADHD brain does that with everything. You’ll start organizing your closet, then notice a book you’ve been meaning to read, which reminds you to check your phone, and before you know it you’re deep in a YouTube rabbit hole about how they make surfboards.

Or maybe you’re the opposite – when something grabs your attention, you’re ALL IN. You’ll spend six hours researching the perfect coffee maker, reading every review, comparing every feature, only to never actually buy one because now you’re overwhelmed by all the options.

Your friends probably call you “the creative one” or “the dreamer.” What they don’t see is how exhausting it is to have your brain constantly switching channels without asking permission.

Sound familiar? Between the two of us, we can get this figured this out.

ADHD: Getting Help In San Diego – Next Steps

Alright, so you’re sitting there thinking “Uh oh, this actually sounds like me” – and now you’re probably spiraling a little, right? Trust me, I’ve seen that exact look about a thousand times in my La Jolla office.

Here’s the deal – getting answers doesn’t have to be this scary, overwhelming thing that takes forever. Here’s how we’re going to figure this out:

We Start With Your Story

First, we’re going to talk. Like, really talk. Not some rushed appointment where you feel like you’re being judged. I want to hear about everything – that time you got detention for daydreaming, why you can never find your keys, how you hyperfocus on random Wikipedia articles until 3 AM.

Then We Do Some Brain Detective Work

Yeah, there’s testing involved, but it’s not like those awful standardized tests from school. Think of it more like finally getting the right prescription for glasses – we’re just figuring out how your unique brain works.

Making Sense of the Puzzle

Once we put all the pieces together, everything starts clicking. If it is ADHD, you’ll probably have one of those “OH, that explains everything!” moments.

Finding What Actually Helps

And if medication is part of your path? We’ll find something that helps you feel like yourself, just… better. Not like some zombie version of you.

Look, I know this feels huge right now. But you’ve already done the hardest part – admitting something needs to change.

San Diego ADHD Comprehensive Evaluation

When we work together, we’ll:

Have real conversations about your everyday challenges
Use comprehensive ADHD assessments to understand how your brain works
Talk to your other doctors or teachers if that helps (only with your OK!)
Look at other conditions that might be happening alongside ADHD

Usually, this San Diego ADHD evaluation takes about 2-3 meetings. Don’t worry – it’s painless, I promise you!

My Approach to San Diego ADHD Testing

Evidence-based screening tools that catch what others might miss
Discussions about how symptoms affect your real life in San Diego
Looking at how symptoms show up across different settings
Understanding your strengths ( ADHD comes with some superpowers too!)

“For the first time, someone was asking the right questions about how my brain works.”

– Many of my patients say the testing process itself was eye-opening

The testing process isn’t about labeling you—it’s about understanding you better so we can find the right solutions to improve your life.

Getting Your ADHD Diagnosis in San Diego: Finally Getting Real Answers

Listen, getting an accurate ADHD diagnosis is like finally getting the right map after wandering around lost for years. I can’t tell you how many people in San Diego have said “I wish I’d known this about myself twenty years ago.”

Here’s what makes me different – I don’t rush through a checklist and call it done. We’re talking about understanding how YOUR brain specifically works, not just slapping a label on you.

After thorough ADHD evaluation and testing, we’ll figure out:

Whether you actually have ADHD (spoiler: sometimes it’s something else entirely)
What type – inattentive, hyperactive, or combined presentation
How it’s been showing up in your daily life
What other stuff might be going on alongside it
The best path forward that actually fits your lifestyle

I had this paralegal come to me convinced he was just “lazy and disorganized.” Turns out he had severe inattentive ADHD that had been flying under the radar since elementary school. Once we got him the right treatment approach, he stopped working until 2 AM just to keep up and actually started enjoying his job again.

The thing is, ADHD isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for your coworker might be completely wrong for you. That’s why we take the time to get this right from the start.

Personalized ADHD Treatment – My Different-Every-Time Approach

Here’s the thing – I’m not going to hand you some generic ADHD treatment plan that I printed off the internet. That’s not how real healing works, and honestly? It’s not how I do things.

I work with people who have ADHD all across San Diego – from busy executives in downtown to overwhelmed parents in Carmel Valley, college students at UCSD to creatives in North Park. What I’ve discovered is this: effective ADHD treatment isn’t just about helping you focus better. It’s about helping you actually like your life again.

One of my patients, a mom from Scripps Ranch, came to me convinced she was “failing at everything.” Between forgetting parent-teacher conferences, losing important paperwork, and feeling like she was constantly letting everyone down, she was ready to give up. We worked together for about six months, and last month she texted me a photo from her daughter’s soccer game with this message: “Remembered the snacks, got here on time, AND I’m actually enjoying watching instead of mentally making my to-do list. This is what normal feels feels like.”

This is precisely why I’m so passionate about what I do.

Your ADHD doesn’t look like anyone else’s, and your treatment shouldn’t either. Whether you need medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of everything – we’ll figure out what actually works for YOUR brain, YOUR schedule, YOUR life.

Ready to Connect with ADHD Specialist Ana Lopez Hopkins in San Diego?

ADHD can be very challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. This is the first step to getting help.

Seeking effective, empathetic support for your ADHD?

The first step to a more balanced life is right here.

ADHD Medication Management: Finding What Actually Works for Your Brain and Your Life

Beyond Just Throwing Stimulants at You:

Here’s the deal – yeah, medication can absolutely be life-changing for ADHD. But I’m not some drive-through pharmacy where you get a generic prescription and good luck figuring it out on your own.

Finding the right ADHD medication? It’s more like being a detective than following a recipe. We’re going to dig into what’s actually happening in YOUR specific situation, talk through all your options (because there are way more than most people realize), and keep fine-tuning until we hit that sweet spot.

You know what I mean – where your brain finally feels like it’s working WITH you instead of against you every single day. That’s what we’re after here.

I’ll never forget this graphic designer from Hillcrest who came to me after her last doctor put her on the highest dose of Adderall right off the bat. She felt like she was “vibrating out of her skin” and couldn’t eat or sleep. We completely started over, tried a different approach, and now she’s crushing deadlines without feeling like she’s going to have a panic attack.

ADHD Medication Plan: My Step-by-Step Treatment Process

Look, I know you’ve probably heard horror stories about ADHD medication – people feeling like zombies, losing their personality, or bouncing off the walls. That’s not how this works when it’s done right. Here’s exactly how we’re going to figure this out together:

Figure out your specific ADHD presentation and what’s driving your biggest struggles
Start with the lowest effective dose (nobody needs to feel jittery and weird)
Monitor how you’re responding and adjust as we go
Have real conversations about side effects and practical solutions
Keep tweaking until you find that sweet spot where your brain works WITH you, not against you

The goal isn’t to turn you into someone else – it’s to help you become the best version of YOU.

Latest ADHD Research & Medication Innovations in San Diego

The world of ADHD therapy is always changing – and as a leading ADHD specialist in San Diego, I stay on top of it so you don’t have to!

Here’s what’s exciting in ADHD research right now for San Diego patients:

Personalized ADHD Medicine Approaches

We’re moving beyond the one-size-fits-all approach to ADHD evaluation. New research helps us predict which ADHD medications and therapies might work best based on your specific ADHD presentation. This means fewer trial-and-error periods and faster relief from ADHD symptoms. For busy San Diegans seeking ADHD treatment, this can mean getting back to what matters sooner!

Non-Stimulant Medications

New formulations offer alternatives with fewer side effects for patients that don’t like the side effects of an amphetamine.

Extended-Release Medications

Innovations in delivery systems ensure consistent symptom relief throughout the day.

San Diego ADHD Case Study: Managing ADHD in Teens

Ana Lopez Hopkins Provides Expert, Compassionate Care in San Diego

Discover how Ana Lopez Hopkins, MSN, PMHNP-BC, successfully tested and treated a teenager with ADHD, improving their schoolwork and interactions with other people.

Case Study of A Teen Struggling With ADHD

Guiding ADHD Lifestyle | Sleep, Nutrition & Stress Reduction

Small changes to sleep, exercise, and what you eat can make a surprising difference for ADHD symptoms.

Did you know that taking hikes at Torrey Pines or going for a swim in La Jolla Cove can actually help reduce ADHD symptoms? Or that what you eat might be making your focus worse?

We’ll take a look at:

Sleep habits that help your ADHD brain recharge
Exercise routines that improve focus and reduce hyperactivity
Nutrition choices that actually support brain function
Mindfulness practices that are easy to stick with
Using San Diego’s outdoor spaces as a natural ADHD therapy.

Following these lifestyle changes, along with other evidence-based treatments, offers a powerful way for San Diegans to manage their ADHD symptoms and improve their lives. Luckily, San Diego has plenty of beaches and hiking trails you can use to help alleviate your ADHD symptoms.

AI-Powered Tools: Custom ADHD Assistants

Artificial intelligence isn’t just sci-fi anymore – it’s creating tools specifically designed for ADHD brains in San Diego and beyond!

Many of my San Diego ADHD patients are finding success with AI assistants that understand how ADHD affects planning and organization. These tools adapt to your specific ADHD challenges rather than forcing you to adapt to them.

One app i recommend is Magic ToDo. Magic ToDo is changing the game for many of my patients with ADHD in San Diego.

You simply type in what you need to accomplish, and the app breaks it down into ADHD-friendly steps. One SDSU student with ADHD shared, “I went from never starting my papers to finishing them early. I just type ‘Write research paper’ and suddenly I have manageable steps I can actually follow!”. This app can be found in Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and it’s free.

These tools don’t replace proper ADHD treatment in San Diego, but they can be amazing supplements to help you navigate daily ADHD challenges. In my practice, I help patients find and use the technology tools like Magic ToDo that work best for their specific ADHD symptoms.

ADHD Co-Occurring Conditions

ADHD rarely exists all by itself. Understanding the full picture helps us create comprehensive ADHD testing that actually works for your real life in San Diego.

Anxiety & ADHD

These two conditions exist together in about half of all cases. About **50% of adults with ADHD** also experience anxiety. Sometimes it’s from years of ADHD challenges, and sometimes it’s a separate condition.

Signs you might have both anxiety and ADHD:

Your mind races with worries, not just random ADHD thoughts.
You avoid certain situations because they make you nervous.
You experience physical symptoms like racing heart or stomach issues.
Your perfectionism actually makes it harder to start tasks.

One Pacific Beach resident with both ADHD and anxiety told me: “I thought my problem was just ADHD, but treating my anxiety too was like finding the missing puzzle piece.”

Depression & San Diego ADHD Testing

Dealing with untreated ADHD can be exhausting and demoralizing. It’s no wonder many people with ADHD also experience symptoms of depression. Feeling constantly overwhelmed, failing to meet expectations, or struggling with daily tasks can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low self-worth.