Environmental dependency syndrome

Environmental dependency syndrome, also called Zelig syndrome or Zelig-like syndrome after the title character of the Woody Allen film Zelig, describes a pattern in which an affected person relies heavily on cues from their surroundings to accomplish everyday goals or tasks rather than acting from internally generated intention. It is understood as a disorder of personal autonomy shaped by individual psychological traits, and it can be eased through the intervention of other people; for example, adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have used coaches who provide cues at the right moments to help them prioritize and order their tasks.