About Andy

I’m Andy Wallis, I live in Grantham, in the UK and was adopted at just a few months old in 1973.

I have struggled throughout my life with my mental health and this year (2023) I decided to start a blog to explore my inner workings. I soon came to realise that most of what I’ve dealt with has its origins in my adoption. I was shocked.

Adoption trauma manifests itself in lots of ways it would seem. From the obvious emotional stuff like anxiety, depression and closing down emotionally, to the less obvious social quirks like refusing to do something fun because it wasn't the adoptee's idea. Weird as it might seem, I can recall lots of moments in my past where I've just flatly refused an activity or outing for fear of losing the element of sovereignty. 

This often leads to a ‘Brian’ (the negative Nancy in my head) driven anxiety attack. I'd get so worked up before the event that I'd lose it and then panic about the loss of control, which in turn would create its own loss of control. Finally topped off with a nice big dollop of shame to boot. ‘Dollop’ great word that!

From the blog, the book was born and writing has helped me so much. To try and gain a wider picture I studied to gain a qualification in Mental Health, and I’m now also a mental health first aider.

I’m passionate about raising awareness of adoption trauma and mental health generally.