Hoarders vary widely in their ability to function in society and manage their own affairs. Some can lead
"double lives" as respected professionals in the community, whereas others may be quite marginalized, with poor
self-care and evidence of inability to manage money, property, and other aspects of daily life. In cases studied by
HARC, up to 25% of hoarders were known to have been placed in some type of supervised care. This is a complicated area
in which personal liberty collides head-on with society's obligations to protect those who cannot adequately
care for themselves. That said, establishing the need for some sort of protective care is a high bar to meet,
and many families become frustrated when they encounter the wide gap between what common sense suggests is a
person in great need of help versus the medico-legal starndards for
involuntary commitment and evaluation. Laws in each state are different. Use this link to research
laws in your own state.
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