background Knowledge on continuities and discontinuities of psychopathology from childhood/adolescence into adult life is important for clinicians and researchers.

aim To provide an overview of researchdata about continuity and discontinuity of psychopathology in children and adolescents into adult life.

method Findings from relevant international studies and main findings from the 14-year Zuid-Holland longitudinal study are described.

results For conduct disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders child-adult continuities, both homotypical and heterotypical, are consistently described. For attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder this continuity is less clear.

conclusion For a substantial proportion of children and adolescents with psychopathology, this condition is chronic into adult life.