Common Signs of Paraphilia
- Feeling personal distress over one’s sexual interests distinct from distress arising from society’s disapproval
- Experiencing sexual interest in causing physical or psychological harm to others
- Acting on one’s urges with parties who do not or are unable to consent
Examples of Paraphilic Disorders and Associated Urges and Behaviours
- Fetishistic Disorder: Intense sexual arousal from inanimate objects or nonsexual body parts
- Frotteuristic Disorder: Sexual arousal from touching or rubbing one’s genitals against another’s in a sexual manner
- Paedophilic Disorder: Sexual attraction to children
- Exhibitionistic Disorder: Sexual pleasure derived from exposing one’s genitals to unsuspecting parties
- Sexual Sadism Disorder: Sexual gratification achieved from inflicting physical or psychological harm, humiliation, or fear on others
- Sexual Masochism Disorder: Sexual desires or fantasies of being hurt or humiliated
- Transvestic Disorder: Sexual arousal from cross-dressing, or dressing as the opposite gender
- Voyeuristic Disorder, which has yet to be mentioned, will be discussed in the next section.
Voyeuristic Disorder
An individual with voyeuristic disorder experiences sexual arousal when watching someone who is unaware and non-consenting engage in sexual activities.
Signs of Voyeuristic Disorder
- Intense sexual arousal from observing others’ sexual acts, persisting at least 6 months
- Experiencing significant distress or dysfunction in daily life due to these behaviours
- Acting on one’s voyeuristic urges with someone who does not or cannot consent
- Being at least 18 years old (it can be difficult to tell if the disorder is present in those younger than 18 years old, or if their behaviour results from sexual curiosity)
Managing Paraphilia
The treatments for paraphilic disorders vary, and are dependent on the individual’s disorder and their goals for seeking treatment. Generally, both psychotherapy and medication are recommended for effective results.
This applies to the treatment of voyeuristic disorder, where psychotherapy and medication are combined to help the individual control their voyeuristic urges. This process involves the development of impulse control, discovering new areas for arousal and curiosity, identifying and targeting negative thought patterns, and creating awareness of situations where there may be an increased risk of defaulting to problematic actions.
Ultimately, recognising that you need help is vital to getting the necessary treatment. If you notice that yourself or others may be displaying signs of a paraphilic disorder, reaching out and seeking professional help is an important first step that can go a long way.
