San Diego Bipolar Specialist: Expert Testing, Diagnosis & Treatment

By Ana Lopez Hopkins, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Published on June 11, 2024 | Last updated on May 31, 2025

Now Accepting New Patients – Get Evaluated Today

New patients accepted. Listen, I know reaching out for help with bipolar disorder 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. I’m currently accepting new patients, kids, teens, and adults in San Diego for bipolar treatment, diagnosis, and testing. Let’s start this voyage together. You deserve to feel stable, understood, comfortable, and hopeful about your future again.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Extreme Mood Shifts & Treatment Options

Do extreme mood shifts make your life hell? One week, you have unlimited energy and lots of creativity. You do things like starting new projects at 2 AM even though you have to be at work by 8. Then suddenly – the high vanishes and you just want to lay in bed, unable to face the world or even the simplest tasks.

It’s possible you may have bipolar disorder if these types of emotional up and downs are having a great impact on your life. Just know this, you’re not alone. I’ve seen countless San Diego teens, adults, and kids struggling with these exact patterns, blaming themselves when what they really need is proper treatment.

Expert San Diego Bipolar Disorder Specialist | Ana Lopez Hopkins

I’m Ana Lopez Hopkins, MSN, PMHNP-BC, and I specialize in helping teens, adults, and kids with bipolar disorder in San Diego County. After nearly a decade dedicated to understanding and treating manic depression, I’ve learned that it affects everybody differently and each person can show different signs. Unlike one-size-fits-all methods, my different-every-time approach means your treatment plan is built entirely around your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. I’ll help treat all of the challenges you have with compassion, understanding, and zero judgment – because we’re on the same team! Last month, a patient grabbed my hand after our session and said, “Ana, for the first time in years, I actually feel like myself again.” Seeing moments like this is why I do what I do.

Do I Have Bipolar? Signs That Might Point to a Mood Disorder. Is This You?

God, I can’t tell you how many people come into my La Jolla office after years – sometimes decades! – of misdiagnoses. They’ve been told everything from “just depression” to “you’re too emotional” to “it’s all in your head.” Here’s what bipolar signs actually looks like for many San Diegans I treat: Sometimes you’re ON. Like, really ON. You’re talking faster, sleeping less (who needs sleep when you’ve got so many amazing ideas?), and maybe spending way too much on things you don’t need. Your friends might love your energy – or they might start avoiding your calls because, honestly, it’s exhausting trying to keep up. Then WHAM. The crash comes. Suddenly, getting out of bed is not going to happen. Everything is gray. Your amazing ideas from last week? Now they seem stupid and embarrassing.

Sound familiar? Let’s talk.

San Diego Bipolar Disorder Testing And Comprehensive Assessment

When kids, teens, and adults come to my practice for San Diego bipolar testing, they often ask, “Will this be like a medical test with clear yes/no results?” The answer is “no”. My comprehensive assessment goes beyond simple questionnaires, incorporating structured clinical interviews and long-term mood tracking to uncover patterns other providers might miss – ensuring an accurate diagnosis from the start.

What to Expect During The Bipolar Testing Process

Bipolar testing isn’t like getting a blood test with clear numerical results. It’s a comprehensive assessment that might include:

• Structured clinical interviews (I use specific protocols designed to identify indicators)
• Mood tracking over time (patterns often tell us more than single moments)
• Psychological questionnaires that screen for manic and depressive characteristics
• Differential diagnosis (ruling out conditions with similar features)

A 35-year-old software engineer who had struggled with unpredictable mood swings for years, had been tracking his mood independently for years. When we reviewed his data together, the bipolar pattern was immediately evident – something previous fifteen-minute doctor visits had completely missed. With a little effort, we’ll complete a thorough bipolar assessment and move to the next step: An accurate bipolar diagnosis.

How to Get a Bipolar Diagnosis in San Diego: What You Need to Know

Getting the right bipolar diagnosis changes everything. I’ve had patients cry with relief in my San Diego office – finally having a name for what they’ve been experiencing means they’re not “crazy” or “broken”. My meticulous diagnostic process, built on years of specialization, means you get clarity and a solid foundation for effective treatment, often after years of misdiagnosis elsewhere.

After comprehensive bipolar testing, we’ll determine:

• Whether you meet criteria for a bipolar disorder
• Which type of bipolar disorder best explains your symptoms
• The severity and pattern of your specific presentation
• Any co-occurring conditions that need addressing
• The most promising treatment approaches for your situation

A teacher I work with had been misdiagnosed with major depression for years. Antidepressants alone made her symptoms worse – triggering manic episodes. Once we correctly identified her bipolar 1 disorder, we adjusted her treatment plan, and she’s now had stability for over two years.

Personalized Bipolar Treatment – My Different-Every-Time Approach

Look, I could give you some cookie-cutter treatment plan, but I won’t do that. That’s not how I do things. I treat people with bipolar disorder all over San Diego County – from Oceanside to Chula Vista, Poway to Pacific Beach. What I’ve learned is this: effective bipolar treatment isn’t just about managing symptoms. It’s about creating a life worth living. One of my favorite success stories is a dad from Clairemont who thought being a good father wasn’t compatible with his bipolar diagnosis. We worked together for about 8 months, and last Father’s Day, he sent me a photo from their family trip to the Safari Park with a message: “Never thought I could be stable enough for days like this. Thank you.”

Stories like this is my best reward.

Medication Management for Bipolar Disorder – What Works?

Beyond Just Prescribing: Yeah, medication is often part of bipolar treatment. But I’m not throwing random pills at you and calling it a day. But finding the right medication approach is both an art and a science, focused on finding your ‘sweet spot’ with minimal side effects. I listen, educate, and adjust until we find what truly brings you stability. I remember working with this Marine veteran who’d tried five different medications with his previous doctor. We sat down, really dug into his symptoms, and found a completely different approach that finally gave him stability. With bipolar disorder medication, we’ll:

• Figure out what’s actually going on in your particular flavor of bipolar
• Start low and go slow (no need to feel like a zombie)
• Keep adjusting until we find your sweet spot
• Talk honestly about side effects and how to manage them

Medication Management For Both Bipolar Manic and Depressive Episodes

Effective medication regimens typically aim to:

• Stabilize current mood episodes
• Prevent future episodes
• Reduce symptom severity if episodes do occur
• Address co-occurring conditions
• Minimize side effects that impact quality of life

One thing I absolutely hate? When providers act like medication questions are annoying. Ask me anything – seriously. These are chemicals going into YOUR body. You deserve to understand them.

I make sure to stay up to date on the latest research and bipolar medications. When a new treatment approach shows promise, I want to know about it for my patients.

Expert Insight on Bipolar Medications

Managing Bipolar Disorder | Sleep, Diet & Stress Reduction Tips

In addition to taking prescribed bipolar medication, here are some lifestyle recommendations to help manage your situation:

• Exercise Regularly – Physical activity can boost mood and reduce stress
• Eat a Balanced Diet – Nutrient-rich foods support brain health and overall well-being
• Manage Stress – Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help stabilize emotions
• Avoid Alcohol and Drugs – These substances can interfere with medication and worsen symptoms
• Stick to a Routine – A structured daily schedule can provide stability and reduce mood shifts
• Take Medications as Prescribed – Consistency with medication is crucial for managing symptoms
• Track Mood Changes – Keeping a journal can help identify triggers and patterns

Best Apps for Tracking Bipolar Mood Shifts & Organization

Alright, I’m a bit of a tech geek when it comes to mental health tools. Not everything out there is worth your time, but some of these have been game-changers for my patients:

Ready to Actually Feel Better?

Listen, living with untreated bipolar is exhausting. You don’t have to white-knuckle it through another episode. Working with me is different. I’ve had patients tell me they finally felt understood after years of providers who just didn’t get it. I don’t just treat your condition, I treat YOU.

Let’s figure this out together.