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Compulsive Voyeurism and Exhibitionism: A Clinical Response to Paroxetine

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Abstract

The compulsive behaviors seen in sexualparaphilias may be related to those ofobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Based primarilyupon case reports as well as studies indicating theeffectiveness of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of sexualparaphilias, it has been speculated that sexualparaphilias lie within the obsessive-compulsivespectrum. There have been no reports of the use ofparoxetine in the treatment of sexual paraphilias. This isa report of two patients, the first a voyeur and thesecond an exhibitionist, both of whom responded totreatment with paroxetine. The discussion addresses the need for further comparative studiesinvestigating the role of the serotonin system in thepathogenesis of sexual paraphilias and OCD as well asthe effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitors incomparison to other pharmacologic modalities used in thetreatment of paraphilias.

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Authors
  1. Ahmed Abouesh
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  2. Anita Clayton
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Abouesh, A., Clayton, A. Compulsive Voyeurism and Exhibitionism: A Clinical Response to Paroxetine. Arch Sex Behav 28, 23–30 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018737504537

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