You guys correct me if i'm wrong, but I'm thinking trigger in the trauma memory/reaction sense (as opposed to say, lack of sleep triggering -- in the sense of precipitating-- a BP episode).

Triggering like in a PTSD kind of way. There are certain things, that if I witness, I find myself shaking, heart in throat, or curled up and turned away because it is like it's happening all over again, even though it's been many many years and even if whatever is currently happening doesn't involve anyone I know. (All this and it's not even one of my dxs(!))

Button-pushing --to me-- seems like a cousin to that. Someone using something they know will upset someone else in order to manipulate them. Even if they do it subconsciously, history has shown them that certain actions or words on their part, will elicit a certain response (trigger a reaction) in another. So they'll use this information in order to get what they want. Or take a power trip. Depends on their motivation.

That's just me pondering…

( tnt. My mother used to step on my last nerve so badly that even at 1500 miles, I had to cut off ties with her. Dealing with her was certainly doing nothing to help my mental health, that's for sure. She's a real piece of work. It's soooo strange though….She doesn't have any mental problems, no sir-ee! Yeah, right. Soooo feel you on that…)