Internal pressures are phenomena inside characters that make them feel stress, such as a desire to solve a mystery (Riley). External pressures are phenomena that happen outside of characters that cause them to feel stress or compel them to action, such as whether a parent expresses disapproval or love (Lily).

Internal pressures stem from pushing yourself too hard, or from worrying about your ability to meet others' expectations of you and those that you have of yourself. You might drive yourself to be your company's number one salesperson, for example, or doubt your ability to perform at a speaking engagement.

Internal pressures can come from things like differences in culture or age, jealousy, lack of compromise, and unreasonable or unfulfilled expectations. External pressures can come from people or factors outside of the relationship itself, such as study or work, illness, money, family and friends.