It's hard to have a discussion with someone who will monopolize the conversation (trust me, I know. My wife can talk for hours). What might work is sitting him down, and asking him what you can do to help reduce his fear. That's all that's driving him right now, complete and total fear. That's not your fault! But I think that he might respond better to the sitch if you just asked him that one question. And then thought about what he responded with and if you were capable of it right now. Then offer the things you can.
