Voyeuristic disorder is a type of paraphilia, which is a condition characterized by intense and recurrent sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors that involve non-consenting individuals, suffering or humiliation, or inanimate objects. Voyeuristic disorder specifically involves becoming sexually aroused by watching an unsuspecting person who is disrobing, naked, or engaged in sexual activity.

Most people with voyeuristic tendencies do not have voyeuristic disorder. Doctors diagnose voyeuristic disorder when people feel greatly distressed or become less able to function well because of their behavior, or they have neglected important aspects of their life and not fulfilled their responsibilities. Voyeurism usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood, and some degree of voyeurism is common, more among boys and men but increasingly among women.

The diagnosis of voyeuristic disorder requires that the symptoms have been present for at least six months and that the person is 18 years or older. Voyeuristic disorder is not diagnosed in patients under 18 years of age. Voyeuristic disorder is one of the most common paraphilias and is much more common among men, with a male to female ratio between 2:1 and 3:1.

Treatment for voyeuristic disorder may include psychotherapy, support groups, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) . Voyeuristic behaviors are illegal, and criminal charges can be filed against the voyeur.