A controversial issue in the literature on eating disorders is whether or not bulimia is a disorder distinct from anorexia nervosa. To compare the personality and behavioral characteristics of bulimic women with and without prior anorexia nervosa, 14 female college students (mean age 19.6 years, 86 percent white) were divided into two groups according to operationalized Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM III) criteria for bulimia (N=5) and bulimia-anorexia nervosa (N=9). Subsequently they were administered a battery of questionnaires assessing personality traits and eating disorders including the Herman and Polivy Restraint Scale Revised; Hawkins and Clement Binge Eating Scale; Demand for Approval and the High Self-Expectations subscales of the Jones' Survey of Beliefs and Feelings; Kurtz Body Attitude Scale; Levenson and Gottman Dating and Assertion Questionnaire; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Index; Spence and Helmreich Personality Attributes; and the Beck Depression Inventory. An analysis of the results showed that bulimic women with a prior history of anorexia were more depressed than nonanorexic bulimic women. Bulimic women with a history of anorexia also reported previous treatment for weight related difficulties and higher family incomes than nonanorexic bulimic women. Personality traits for both groups were similar, i.e., low self esteem, high need for approval, high self expectations or perfectionistic strivings, and a poor body image. All women recognized their eating habits as disruptive and expressed an interest in receiving treatment. (BL)