Fears and severe weather

One thing that is tough, is having a bipolar child who is afraid of not only severe weather, but watches as well. My son has a terrable fear of tornado's and thunderstorms. Not that I blame him, but when he refuses to go to school, be with friends because of a thunderstorm watch or tornado watch. He will not leave the house. (which fine when it is a warning, not a watch)
It can be fustrating.

Today was no execption. My son started panicking last night, I tried diverting his attention by watching a movie ( on VHS) this way he would not have to see the weather announce every few minutes that the weather was the same and moving south of us. All was lost with the first clap of thunder. He started to get very nervous and pace the flow. I tried to get him to do his coping exercises, he wouldn't listen. Convincing him that we were safe in out apartment was another choir. My son likes to play the wha if this what if that, so I told him, the what if game is for science and not saftey.

So again I explained why we were safe, how we were safe. I showed him a map of where the storm was heading and that we would not be swept away, blow out of our home, or struck by lighting siting on the futon. (Yes there has been inceidents in which people were struck in thier home, but I do not focus on this)

I then asked my boyfriend that since the movie wasn't working if he wanted to join us in plaing mad libs. ( it usally keeps his mind off of things or at least gets him to laugh) This kept him pacified for an hour. One the watch was lifted off of our county he felt a little at ease. I suggested he listen to some music, and he didn't want to, so I suggested If he wanted to finsh watching the movie, whoo hoo I had a winner.

Once the movie was finished, he was told lights out, but refused, unless he could see the weather. We discussed how this was not an option and he should wait until morning. Okay this flew like a toxic balloon. I was tired it was 12:30am, I had to get up at 6 and so did he to get ready for school. I don't know how long he actually slept, but this morning was a good indication that he didn't sleep much. Today I knew was not going to be easy to get him to school. His excuse was he was afraid of us having bad weather. Now mind we did have a thunderstorm warning around 3pm, but at the time it was 6:05am. So after trying to coax, persuaed and such, nothing was convincing him of going to school, not even the fact he still was going to his day treatment program.

My boyfriend ending up staying home with him, even though he needs to be looking for a job. He stayed home to make sure our son would not be having fun, but would be safe. I called his therapist at day treatment and explained the situation, she said she would be helping our son with the issue of fears and how to cope with them. I hope he listens. I did request that she give me a list of what coping skills there are going to teach for fears so I can incorporate them at home. I told her that the ones I used on him when he was younger isn't working this year.

I am keeping my toes crossed, in hopes that the sever weather is over before he gets home and that he will make the wise choice of going to school and try to over come his fears rather then his fears ruling his life.