Voyeurism

Sarah Fishkind
SOP2772

Voyeurism

A paraphilia is a condition in which a person's sexual arousal and gratification depends on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. A paraphilia can revolve around a particular object or around a particular act. Most paraphilias are more common in men then in women . Paraphilias include sexual behavior that society may view as distasteful, unusual or abnormal. The term voyeur was used specifically to describe people who fit within the DSM description. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) defines voyeurism as the act of spying on "unsuspecting individuals, usually strangers, who are naked, in the process of disrobing or engaging is sexual activity". Voyeurism is a psychosexual disorder in which a person derives sexual pleasure and gratification from looking at the naked bodies and genital organs or observing the sexual acts of others. The object of voyeurism is to observe unsuspecting individuals who are naked in the process of undressing or engaging in sexual acts. The person being observed is usually a stranger to the observer. The action of looking or peeping is undertaken for the purpose of achieving sexual excitement. The voyeur does not seek to have sexual contact or activity with the person they are observing. If orgasm is sought-after, it is usually achieved through masturbation, which may occur during the act of observing or later, relying on the memory of the act that was observed. Frequently the voyeur may have the fantasy of engaging in sexual activity with the people being observed. The voyeur is usually hidden from view of others. A variant form of voyeurism involves listening to erotic conversations. Commonly referred to as telephone sex. It is the counterpart of exhibitionism, in which the man repeatedly watches unaware people undressing or engaging in sexual activity. Voyeurism may be reported as exhibitionist when the target women sees the man masturbating and thinks he is exposing himself to her. Voyeuristic acts may also be part of stalking for rape or a sexual obsession with a specific women. Exhibitionism is similar to voyeurism. Exhibitionist usually male, may masturbate while exposing themselves or fantasize about exposing themselves. They may be aware of their need to surprise, shock, or impress the unwilling observer. The victim is almost always a female adult or a child of either sex. Sexual contact is rare. About 30% of apprehended male sex offenders are exhibitionists. Exhibitionism is expressed for some, as a strong desire to have other people watch their sexual acts. What appeals to such people is not the act of surprising an audience but rather of being seen by a consenting audience. People with this form of exhibitionism may make pornographic films or become adult entertainers. They are rarely troubled by the desire and thus may not have a psychiatric disorder. Research has found that men and women both report roughly the same likelihood that they would hypothetically engage in voyeurism. Research shows that voyeurism is more common in men that in women. A number of states have status that render voyeurism as a crime. Most states specifically prohibit anyone from photographing or videotaping another person, without consent, while observing that person in the privacy of their own home or some other private place. There is no specific cause for the basis of voyeurism. Most experts attribute the behavior to an initially random or accidental observation of an unsuspecting person who is naked. Successive repetitions of the act tend to reinforce and perpetuate the voyeuristic behavior. To be clinically diagnosed the symptoms must include recurrent, intense or sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors. Fantasies, urges, or behaviors that cause significant distress to an individual or are disruptive of his or her everyday functioning. Over time it can become the main form of sexual arousal for the voyeur. It can be chronic. The prognosis for eliminating voyeurism is poor because most voyeurs have no desire to change their behavior. Voyeurism is against the law in many jurisdictions, and since it involves non-consenting partners, the possibility of embarrassment may hurt some individuals. For treatment to be successful, a voyeur must want to modify existing patterns of behavior. This initial step is difficult for most voyeurs to admit and then take. Most voyeurs must be compelled to accept treatment, usually by a court order. Behavioral therapy is commonly used to try to treat voyeurism. The voyeur must learn to try to control the impulse to watch non-consenting victims, and just as importantly to acquire more acceptable means of sexual gratification.Some evidence that shows that pornography can be used as a form of treatment of voyeurism. Studies show that pornography can be used as a means of satisfying voyeuristic desires without breaking the law. Can be treated with a mix of anti-psychotics and antidepressants. There is also success in treating as an obsessive compulsive disorder. Putting a patient on Fluoxitine and treating their voyeuristic behavior as a compulsion. The desire to watch others in sexual situations is common and not in itself abnormal. Voyeurism usually begins during adolescence. Adolescent voyeurism is generally viewed more leniently, and few teenagers are arrested. When voyeurism is pathologic, voyeurs spend a considerable amount of time seeking out viewing opportunities. As with any mental disorder, most people will recognize some aspects of these symptoms in their own experience and behavior, and it is not unusual to experience sexual arousal when viewing erotic material. After all that is what pornography is. The key point about voyeurism as a mental disorder is that the individual specifically seeks out or fantasizes about the opportunity to observe someone who is unsuspecting, and this behavior causes distress or impairment.

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