* Compulsive mirror checking, glancing in reflective doors, windows and other reflective surfaces.
* Attempting to camouflage the imagined defect: for example, using cosmetic camouflage, wearing baggy clothing, maintaining specific body posture or wearing hats.
* Excessive grooming behaviors: skin-picking, combing hair, plucking eyebrows, shaving, etc.
* Compulsive skin-touching, especially to measure or feel the perceived defect.
* Seeking reassurance from loved ones.
* Excessive dieting or exercising, working on outside appearance.
* Self-harm
* Comparing appearance/body parts with that/those of others, or obsessive viewing of favorite celebrities or models whom the person suffering from BDD wishes to resemble.
* Compulsive information-seeking: reading books, newspaper articles and websites that relate to the person's perceived defect, e.g. hair loss or being overweight.
* Obsession with plastic surgery or dermatological procedures, often with little satisfactory results (in the perception of the patient).
* In extreme cases, patients have attempted to perform plastic surgery on themselves, including liposuction and various implants with disastrous results.