I had a very difficult childhood, very emotionally unstable. I would always blame myself for everything and I used to hit myself when I felt particularly ashamed or angry with myself. A few years later I found ways to hurt myself more, and it became an obsession. It escaladed from a few bruises to cuts which are now scars that will never go away, but I've come to terms with that. I no longer hide my thighs obsessively in hot weather. If someone asks, I just say yeah I've been through rough times, that's all. No one usually asks though, maybe because it's blatantly obvious? :S