Voyeuristic Disorder

Voyeuristic Disorder is a mental condition, a paraphilia marked with a preoccupation with fantasies and acts that involve observance of people who are naked or engaged in grooming or sexual activity. What once was simply the classic “Peeping Tom” has been greatly impacted by technology and has migrated and morphed significantly online. The cyber term is known as Scopophilia from the Greek term “look to” or “to examine.”

Tiny Cameras

The webcam and the miniaturization of cameras in general may be technology’s greatest gift to the voyeur. Our Peeping Tom, who was once limited to spying through windows at naked women, is now able to hijack an unsuspecting person’s computer and spy on people using their own computer and webcam, or by installing tiny webcams in ladies’ bathrooms and changing rooms in clothing stores.

It is staggering to imagine the spying capabilities of voyeurs with the addition of hundreds of millions of new computers, tablets and smartphones with attached cameras that connect to the internet each year.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually begins with psychotherapy, support groups, and antidepressants. If drugs are ineffective and the disorder is severe, drugs that reduce testosterone levels and thus reduce the sex drive may be used.


This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.

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