The family of a missing West Lothian man has said they are 'beside themselves' over a week on from his disapperance.
Joel McDiarmid, 28, has not been seen since leaving his family at his home in Boghall around 4pm on Wednesday, November 17.
He has not been in contact with his family or friends since then, which is completely out of character.
His brother, Ben McDiarmid, is urging people on social media to help their desperate search as the days pass with no sign of the 28-year-old.
Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: "This has been terrible, it's the hardest thing we've ever had to go through and hopefully ever will.
"You can't imagine how difficult it's been for my mum, everyone else and my elderly grandparents.
"Everyone is just so worried and beside themselves. It feels very surreal and quite a numb feeling in a way because we're in survival mode.
"We just want to get through it and keep hoping for the best. Just keep hoping for Joel."
Family and friends have been out scouring the local area in a bid to find Joel and bring him home safely.
Cops have also called in their air unit as the search continues, with helicopters looking for any sign of the 28-year-old.
It's understood police are also planning on using drones in the coming days, with a vast search area that includes Bathgate Hills near Joel's home.
Joel has links to Edinburgh and also Glasgow, where he spent four years living in the city while he attended the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
In an emotional plea to his brother, Ben, 26, said: "We just want him to come home because he knows how loved he is and we want to reassure him of that, we love him so much and just want him back."
Joel is described as white, six feet three inches in height and of slim build with medium-length dyed blond hair.
When he was last seen he was wearing a dark green G-Star jacket, black jogging trousers and black trainers.
Police are calling on anyone with information to come forward.
Sergeant Neil Traynor said: “As time passes, we are becoming increasingly concerned for Joel’s safety and wellbeing.
"He has been dealing with some anxiety issues lately and despite a number of searches and enquiries to trace him, we have not yet been able to locate him.
“He is known to travel by public transport and likes to visit Glasgow and Edinburgh, and we are liaising with our colleagues in these areas too in case he has travelled there.
“I would urge anyone who has seen Joel since Wednesday to contact us, or indeed Joel himself to get in touch us to let us know that he is safe and well.
"Anyone with any information on his whereabouts should contact us through 101 quoting reference 1809 of 18 November.”
