Hello, everyone! I will do my best to make this short. I have a 9m son who what I believe has social anxiety. Initially, everyone thought he was just shy, but it has gotten to the point where he suffers from more than just shyness. He doesn’t speak to people he doesn’t know, he will softly speak to his teacher (it takes a months), he does not make new friends on his own (his few friends are outspoken kids who basically befriend him), he won’t order food, won’t speak to teachers that aren’t his, he doesn’t like anything where he feels like people are looking at just him (even if they are not), etc. He is anxious in general, but the social aspect is what worries me the most. He will be going to middle school soon and I am terrified because he is not the type of kid to say anything to teachers (or anyone other than me and his Dad) if he needs help or if someone is bothering him, he won’t make friends easily, his new school will be completely unknown to him. Just thinking about this breaks my heart, and I don’t know what to do. I would like to get him a therapist, but I am afraid that all that will cause is a suggestion of medication and I don’t know if that is the only option.

My question to this who have experienced this is...
Will therapy without medication work? Did you struggle with this as a child? What helped?

He is otherwise a happy, smart, great kid around family. My fear is also him growing up in this “scary” world and somehow this anxiety and insecurity of his turning to something more serious like depression.  Has that happened to any of you?

I am so sorry that this is so long. I am just a worried mom. Thank you in advance for your help.