Compulsive voyeurism and exhibitionism: a clinical response to paroxetine.

Abstract

The compulsive behaviors seen in sexual paraphilias may be related to those of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Based primarily upon case reports as well as studies indicating the effectiveness of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of sexual paraphilias, it has been speculated that sexual paraphilias lie within the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. There have been no reports of the use of paroxetine in the treatment of sexual paraphilias. This is a report of two patients, the first a voyeur and the second an exhibitionist, both of whom responded to treatment with paroxetine. The discussion addresses the need for further comparative studies investigating the role of the serotonin system in the pathogenesis of sexual paraphilias and OCD as well as the effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in comparison to other pharmacologic modalities used in the treatment of paraphilias.

• Authors: A Abouesh, A Clayton
• Journal: Archives of sexual behavior (Arch Sex Behav) Vol. 28 Issue 1 Pg. 23-30 (Feb 1999) ISSN: 0004-0002 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10097802 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Paroxetine

Topics

• Adult
• Compulsive Behavior (drug therapy, psychology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Exhibitionism (drug therapy, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paroxetine (therapeutic use)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Voyeurism (drug therapy, psychology)