AbstractData on the frequency and time distribution of bulimic episodes were examined in three groups of patients: those who reported binge eating and vomiting, those who reported binge eating and laxative abuse, and those who reported binge eating and both vomiting and laxative abuse. The probability of binge eating increased during the afternoon and evening for all three groups. Those who did not use laxatives reported a high frequency of binge eating, whereas those who used laxatives exclusively usually did so very late in the day.