According to the American Psychological Association, there are three primary forms that stress can take on. With stress can come health problems that range from heart ailments to depression or even simple fatigue, therefore the ability to identify the symptoms are important.

1. Acute

Perhaps the most common form of stress, which usually goes as quickly as it comes, and is directly affected by pressures surrounding the malaised. In many ways, acute stress can be helpful, as it gives you that kind of rush of exhileration you need to push yourself that extra bit you need to overcome some sort of challenge. It's a very temporary kind of tension, and as the conflict resolves itself, it usually goes away hastily.

However, it should be noted that if there is a negative source for this type of stress then there can be physical signs, such as stomach pains or an inability to form an appetite.

Ultimately, acute stress has no real long term effects, and is mostly noted for its immediate feelings of malaise, especially since it only really lasts as long as its cause anyway.

2. Acute Episodic

A more serious form of stress than simple acute tension, acute episodic stress is most common in people who allow themselves to lead disorganized and cluttered lives. When your life is a jumbled mess of late arrivals and an inability to give yourself any sense of normalcy, you find yourself sinking into this type of potentially harmful stress. When one has what's called a Type A personality, or can be defined as "chronic worriers".

In many ways, this form of stress is like acute tension, however it is more likely to affect you over a long period of time, and has had the unenviable distinction of leading to high blood pressure and heart disease.

3. Chronic

In general, the majority of people experience this form of stress, especially in their day to day lives. Whether you're suffering typical financial frustrations, or your long term relationship is becoming rocky, or something as simple as a poor work environment, you can find yourself suffering from chronic stress. Although you may find yourself able to overcome the simplest of symptoms at first, it should not be outright ignored, as it is the most associated with cardiac problems such as heart attacks - and is also a leading cause in violent rages and suicides.

Although stress and tension are relatively normal consequences of most situations humans are involved in, some people describe it as a form of killer - and it is therefore highly important to learn how to normalize your life, and keep stress under control. In addition to insuring a higher quality life, it also avoids potentially fatal health problems in the future.