A study of the family environments & psychiatric histories of 35 bulimic women revealed that 12 of the 35 had been sexually abused or had a sister who had been sexually abused. Bulimic Ss in which sexual abuse occurred were more likely to have a history of major depression, relatives who abused drugs & a disturbed family environment. The presence of bulimia should alert clinicians to screen for concommitant depression, suicidality, substance abuse & the possibility of severe familial pathology.