These are all words for the feelings of anxiety caused by the problems in sb's life. 以上各词均指生活上的心理压力、精神紧张。

• pressure difficulties and feelings of anxiety that are caused by the need to achieve sth or to behave in a particular way 指为达到某一目标或有某种行为表现而产生的心理压力、紧张：◆She was unable to attend because of the pressures of work. 由于工作紧张，她不能出席。
• stress pressure or anxiety caused by the problems in sb's life 指因生活问题引起的精神压力、心理负担、紧张：◆stress-related illnesses 与精神压力有关的疾病

pressure or stress? 用 pressure 还是 stress？

It is common to say that sb is suffering from stress, while pressure may be the thing that causes stress. 承受精神压力常用 suffer from stress，而 pressure 可指造成压力 (stress) 的事物。

• tension a feeling of anxiety and stress that makes it impossible to relax 指情绪上的紧张、烦躁：◆nervous tension 神经紧张
• strain pressure on sb/sth because they have too much to do or manage; the problems, worry or anxiety that this produces 指压力、重负、重压之下出现的问题、担忧：◆I found it a strain looking after four children. 我觉得照料四个孩子挺累的。

Patterns

• to be under pressure/stress/strain
• considerable pressure/stress/tension/strain
• to cause stress/tension/strain
• to cope with the pressure/stress/tension/strain
• to relieve/release the pressure/stress/tension/strain
• to be suffering from stress/tension