"I should be more appropriate with it instead of always being driven by it."

Exactly. Not a lot of things will truly set me off. Witnessing someone else being abused (physically, emotionally, etc.) will do it every time - I once cleared out an entire laundry mat because a woman was being verbally abusive to a 4 yr. old girl - and I truly feel for anyone who tries to say, rape or rob me because they will bear the brunt of every abusive experience I've ever had.