Rachael Farrokh, from Southern California, is begging the public to help save her life.

The 37-year-old actress has been battling anorexia nervosa for more than 10 years.

In a video on YouTube describing her fight against the life-threatening eating disorder, she explains how her condition has severely declined in recent months, leaving her breathless and too weak to move around on her own at her San Clemente home.

She also says her husband, Ron Edmondson, has had to quit his job to become her 24-hour caregiver, while area hospitals won't treat her because her 'dangerous' weight makes her a 'liability'. 

'There's one hospital across the country that can help, and my chances are very slim. We need your help,' a gaunt-looking Ms Farrokh says in the video, asking viewers to donate 'anything you can'.

(Healthier and happier times)

'She was a very active individual growing up, she was a perfectionist,' her husband said. On Facebook, Ms Farrokh has posted a photo of herself looking healthy in sports gear, taken many years ago.

'At first, it was innocent, I wanted to drop a few pounds to get better abs,' said Ms Farrokh, adding that a sudden job loss and a painful memory from her past had allowed her anorexia to creep in.

As her disorder 'spiralled out of control', the actress saw her weight drop from a healthy 60 kilogrammes to a much lower figure. And in recent months, it has dropped even further - to below 25 kilogrammes.

'My sister gave me a collage of pictures of when I was acting or doing certain things,' said Ms Farrokh, who spends her time in a hospital bed inside her house and cannot walk on her own.

'I look at that girl, the head shot, it's only a few years old. It's like I know I've wasted this much of my life. I just want to be that person again - that strong, independent woman that can be herself.'

Because of her condition, Ms Farrokh, who lists her occupation as 'Actor' on Facebook, has previously suffered from heart and liver failure, and has had to undergo blood transfusions.

She has also experienced a decline in mental ability as her body continues to 'shut down'.

Anorexia is an eating disorder that is characterized by an abnormally low body weight and an all-consuming fear of gaining weight. Sufferers typically have a distorted perception of their bodies.

They may deliberately restrict the amount of food they eat, or control the amount of calories they consume by vomiting. They also might attempt to lose weight by engaging in excessive exercise.