The first 95 patients admitted to an inpatient eating disorders program & diagnosed as having bulimia, bulimarexia & anorexia nervosa were evaluated for depression, suicidality & family history. Major depression was found in 80% of patients; 20% had made suicide attempts in their life; & 40% of those attempting suicide made potentially lethal attempts. Findings suggest that eating disorders are unique disorders & not variants of affective disorder or alcoholism. 20 Refs. (LH)