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Most voyeurs do not have voyeuristic disorder.
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Doctors diagnose voyeuristic disorder when people feel greatly distressed or become less able to function well because of their behavior, or they have acted on their urges with a person who has not consented.
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Treatment, which usually begins after voyeurs are arrested, includes psychotherapy, support groups, and certain antidepressants.
(See also Overview of Paraphilias and Paraphilic Disorders.)
Voyeurism is a form of paraphilia. Most people with voyeuristic tendencies do not have voyeuristic disorder.
In voyeurism, it is the act of observing (peeping) that is arousing, not sexual activity with the observed person. Voyeurs do not seek sexual contact with the people being observed. When voyeurs observe unsuspecting people, they may have problems with the law.
Voyeurism usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood. Some degree of voyeurism is common, more among boys and men but increasingly among women. Society often regards mild forms of this behavior as normal when involving consenting adults. Viewing sexually explicit pictures and shows, now widely available in private on the internet, is not considered voyeurism because it lacks the element of secret observation, which is the hallmark of voyeurism.
Voyeuristic disorder is one of the most common paraphilias and is much more common among men.
When voyeurism is a disorder, voyeurs spend a lot of time seeking out viewing opportunities. As a result, they may neglect important aspects of their life and not fulfill their responsibilities. Voyeurism may become the preferred method of sexual activity and consume countless hours of watching. more