Which disorder is defined by observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, engaging in sex, or disrobing?

• A. Exhibitionistic Disorder
• B. Pedophilic Disorder
• C. Voyeuristic Disorder
• D. Frotteuristic Disorder

Answer: (C)

Observing others in a state of undress or engaged in sexual activity for the purpose of sexual arousal is Voyeuristic Disorder. The defining feature is arousal that comes from watching an unsuspecting person who is naked, disrobing, or having sex, typically without that person’s knowledge. This pattern must be recurrent and persistent, and it often causes distress or impairment or has led the person to act on these urges with a non-consenting individual.

This is distinct from exhibitionistic disorder, where the arousal comes from exposing one’s own body to others; from frotteuristic disorder, where the arousal comes from rubbing up against a non-consenting person; and from pedophilic disorder, which involves sexual attraction to prepubescent children.