Voyeurism is a
disorders of sexual arousal. It involves the act of observing unsuspecting
individuals, usually strangers, who may be naked or in the process
of disrobing. Even engaging in sexual activity. Masturbation usually
occurs during, or shortly after, voyeuristic activities. A variation
of voyeurism entails listening to erotic conversations; e.g. telephone
sex. The main criteria for the diagnosis is:
Repeatedly, for at least 6 months, having intense sexual desires,
fantasies or behaviors concerning the act of watching an unsuspecting
person who is naked, disrobing or having sex.
This activity
causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social or personal
functioning.
Voyeurism may
co-occur with another paraphilia, exhibitionism.
Onset is typically
before the age of fifteen, and the individual may become so invested
in the voyeuristic activity as to have this as the sole sexual behavior.
This often is a chronic condition.
In current Society
a certain amount of voyeurism is considered normal, such as watching
x-rated movies, as well as graphic magazines. You may have even been
sexually aroused when you noticed by accident someone who was undressing,
naked, or having sex. However, the key factor here is that unless
you seek out these experiences, you are not a true voyeur
None
Some disorders
have similar or even the same symptoms. The clinician, therefore,
in his/her diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against the following
disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis.
There are many
different theories related to voyeuristic behavior, many stemming
from the psychoanalytic tradition. It has been suggested that childhood
trauma (e.g., sexual abuse) or significant childhood experiences may
manifest itself in voyeuristic behavior.
Treatment:
Treatment typically
involves psychotherapy to uncover and attempt to work through the
underlying cause of the behavior. Behavioral
and Group
Therapy may also be helpful for those who are motivated to change.
Success rates however, are not known.
Counseling
and Psychotherapy [
See Therapy Section ] & [ Sex
Therapy ]:
Cognitive, Behavior,
and Psychoanalytic Therapies are used to treat individuals with paraphilia's.
Pharmacotherapy [ See
Psychopharmacology Section ] :
Some prescription
medicines are used to help decrease the compulsive thinking associated
with the paraphilia's. Hormones are prescribed occasionally for individuals
who experience intrusive sexual thoughts, urges, or abnormally frequent
sexual behaviors. Almost always the treatment must be long-term if
it is to be effective.
