Book SummaryBetween Breaths, by Elizabeth Vargas

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Between Breaths

Elizabeth Vargas has faced a lifelong struggle with anxiety, which has often manifested in numerous panic attacks.

During her father's deployment in Vietnam, Vargas experienced severe anxiety and began having panic attacks while they were living in Okinawa.

Vargas's struggle with anxiety began in early childhood and was a defining characteristic of her life. From her early years, she was accompanied by sensations of unease and disquiet. While her father was stationed in Vietnam, her anxiety intensified significantly during her stay in Japan's Okinawa region. The atmosphere of Okinawa, which was often unfamiliar and could be daunting, frequently triggered intense fear episodes, exacerbated by her separation anxiety from her father. Elizabeth Vargas initially encountered intense anxiety, which established the foundation for her ongoing struggles with the condition.

As a child, Vargas was gripped by intense anxiety, which led her to constantly cling to her mother whenever she left for work, as she found it difficult to manage the overwhelming feelings that their parting induced.

Vargas recounts her struggles with intense episodes of panic during her time as a child of six in Okinawa. Every morning, as her mother set off to start her day, Vargas was consumed by an intense sense of foreboding and a belief that calamity was about to strike. As a child, she frequently ended up in tears, chasing her mother's car, after imploring her not to leave. Vargas was engulfed by her panic attacks, which left her feeling utterly powerless and stricken with fear. She portrays these experiences as overpowering surges of physical and emotional turmoil that she could not govern. Elizabeth Vargas's perspective and growth were profoundly shaped by her battle with intense anxiety and a sense of abandonment due to her father's absence.

Throughout her adult years, Vargas experienced intense episodes of anxiety that manifested even during live broadcasts, which she diligently tried to hide from her colleagues.

As she grew older, Elizabeth Vargas still faced bouts of anxiety. Throughout her life as an adult, her...

Between Breaths Summary Her alcohol dependency slowly emerged as a means to manage her anxiety.

Elizabeth Vargas discovered that alcohol offered a fleeting respite from her ongoing anxiety.

As Vargas advanced in her career, the need to uphold a poised and assured exterior intensified, leading her to increasingly find solace in alcohol. The writer describes how the habitual consumption of multiple glasses of wine after work became a fleeting escape from her ongoing anxiety. Elizabeth Vargas sought comfort in drinking, which helped silence her insecurities and calmed her persistent feeling of inadequacy. This dependence on alcohol, while seeming innocuous at first, signaled the onset of a perilous journey towards addiction.

In her twenties, she found that moderate alcohol consumption calmed her nerves and enhanced her confidence.

In her early twenties, Vargas found that a small quantity of alcohol, particularly in social settings, helped ease her nervousness and contributed to a sense of relaxation. She relished the way alcohol initially made her feel, easing her stress, boosting her self-assurance, and blurring the harshness of reality. Vargas recounts her early experiences with alcohol as a pleasant and convivial way to unwind and engage with coworkers after a...

Between Breaths Summary Elizabeth Vargas's battle with addiction to alcohol deeply impacted her familial ties and her relationship with her partner.

Elizabeth Vargas's battle with addiction to alcohol put a considerable strain on her marriage, resulting in her husband experiencing escalating exasperation and a decline in confidence.

Elizabeth Vargas's dependency on alcohol put a considerable strain on her marital relationship. Her husband initially showed support but over time grew increasingly concerned and frustrated by her patterns of drinking. He attempted to resolve the problem, yet his efforts only led to more hostility and refusal, which intensified their estrangement. Marc's concern gradually morphed into frustration and a growing sense of bitterness as Elizabeth Vargas's battle with alcoholism intensified.

Elizabeth Vargas's escalating alcohol consumption led to a deterioration in her relationship with Marc, resulting in growing emotional estrangement and accumulating resentment.

Vargas's dependence on alcohol grew stronger, resulting in a steady deterioration of her relationship with Marc. They grew distant, communicating less, and often arguing about her drinking. The author recounts the evolution of their relationship from a nurturing bond to a tense cohabitation characterized by exasperation and an...

Between Breaths Summary Her path led her through a process of rehabilitation and healing.

Vargas engaged in numerous attempts at recovery, attending a series of treatments at a renowned rehabilitation facility, but initially struggled to achieve sustained sobriety.

Elizabeth Vargas encountered numerous challenges on her journey to sobriety, including several periods of rehabilitation and significant obstacles. The author portrays her early efforts to obtain assistance as tentative and secretive, marked by a profound sense of embarrassment. The book highlights specific elements of her two stays at a Utah-based rehabilitation center, known for its private care of celebrities and other prominent individuals struggling with addiction. These early attempts at recovery were, unfortunately, short-lived.

Vargas would initially find success in rehab, only to relapse after returning home to the stresses of her daily life.

Vargas shares her story, highlighting her success in the structured environment of recovery, yet acknowledging the difficulties she faced in maintaining her abstinence amidst the temptations and stresses of daily life. The author highlights the difficulties in resuming everyday routines following extensive treatment, particularly in dealing with...