Treat Voyeuristic Disorder: Voyeuristic disorder: The infamous Peeping Toms Disorder

A paraphilic illness called voyeuristic disorder causes non-consenting actions, impulses and fantasies.

If someone feels aroused while observing others who're unaware of being watched, "Peeping Toms" disorder may be to blame for that. When they see someone undressed, nude or participating in physically intimate behavior, they experience arousal.

Someone with voyeuristic tendencies can surreptitiously videotape the subject so they can view it again later. For a better look, they occasionally employ mirrors and binoculars too. Some voyeuristic individuals openly express their feelings, while others conceal their paraphilic tendencies.

Anyone who exhibits voyeurism tendencies is curious to observe any unassuming individual. Most frequently, the person or individuals being watched are in a location where they feel they have privacy.

Symptoms of voyeuristic disorder

Even though uncommon, Peeping Toms disorder can significantly impact a person's mental health. (Image via Freepik/Freepik)

A person must have a fantasy or act of spying on unsuspecting persons who are partially undressed or engaged in physically intimate activities for at least six months to be diagnosed with voyeuristic disorder. A subclass of voyeurs enjoys listening in on extremely suggestive discussions or seeing others urinate.

While observing someone, the viewer is likely to have arousing thoughts. These actions severely disrupt a person's social, professional or other key aspects of daily life.

Some of these symptoms include:

Arousal that's constant and intense stemming from fantasizing about or observing a stranger for at least six months
Listening in on racy talks
Unhappiness and disorder in one's social and professional life
A person's privacy being violated in their house, locker room or other places
Unlawfully entering a location to see individuals at private times
Taking a person's picture or video without their consent
Feeling irritated or anxious when one is prevented from engaging in voyeuristic activities
Inability to stop engaging in voyeuristic behavior, even when it endangers their health and well-being

Causes of voyeuristic disorder

Remember that every thought and behavior has a history. (Image via Freepik/Freepik)

Voyeuristic disorder has no known cause in particular. However, some risk factors, including alcohol misuse and abuse, are associated with being a voyeur. According to specialists, many people have voyeuristic tendencies but are unwilling to acknowledge them for fear of being discovered.

Continued viewing reinforces and sustains the behavior till it exceeds what's deemed culturally acceptable or normal and becomes pathological. Childhood sexual abuse, alcohol misuse, and obsession are all risk factors, but the link to voyeurism is questionable and the specificity is unknown.

Voyeuristic disorder necessitates one or more contributing factors, which may change over time with or without treatment: subjective distress (guilt, shame, intense frustration, loneliness), psychiatric morbidity, impulsivity, health impairment, and/or a proclivity to act out by spying on unsuspecting people. As a result, the course of voyeuristic disorder is likely to differ with age.

How to treat voyeuristic disorder?

Are there treatment options available for this disorder? (Image via Freepik/Freepik)

Recognizing and accepting that a person's voyeuristic interests constitute a problem is the first step towards recovery. As paraphilic illnesses are sometimes difficult for people to recognize, as they're unaware of their behavior, it's crucial to pay attention to such behaviors.

A parent, spouse, friend, or legal representative may be the first to notice the condition and suggest getting medical attention. The most typical voyeuristic disorder therapies include:

#1 Cognitive-behavioral therapy

In CBT, negative thoughts and behavioral patterns that control a person's behavior due to a mental illness are identified. The therapist then assists the patient in replacing those negative ideas with more constructive ones.

By learning new techniques for controlling their curiosity, figuring out what places or circumstances set off their voyeuristic disorder symptoms and coming up with coping mechanisms, the therapist may also assist the patient in learning impulse control.

#2 Group therapy

Group therapy is a safe space to explore your desires and impulses. (Image via Pexels/Tima)

Being a part of a support group can be very helpful in overcoming voyeuristic disorder symptoms.

Connecting with others who are dealing with comparable problems fosters a judgement-free environment, where it's possible to talk about difficulties and coping techniques.

#3 Medications

Any accompanying comorbid illnesses, like sadness or anxiety, may be treated with medication. According to research, giving patients fluoxetine and treating their voyeurism as an obsessive-compulsive disorder can have a considerable impact on their behavior.

A study from 2010 found that this illness can be successfully treated by combining antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs. Patients with this illness may also be treated with anti-androgenic medications that reduce strong desire.

If addressed, voyeuristic disorder can affect daily living. Treatment can assist in overcoming cravings and stop symptoms from getting exacerbated. It's not dangerous to have voyeuristic urges or thoughts unless you act on them or if they make you feel uncomfortable.

Do not hesitate to contact the police if you believe that someone is keeping an unwelcome eye on you. If you have voyeuristic disorder, you might want to get treatment from a mental health expert. It's never too late to get help and learn how to have sexual relations with consent.

Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.

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