10-19 to 20-39, and then decreases during the ages of 50-59. the rates of nightmares for men increases from ages 10-19 to 30-39, and then decreases at the age of 50-59. however, it is still unclear if the difference of prevalence between men and women is real or if it reflects a higher dream recall capacity of women. according to studies, children at the age of 6–10 years are 41% more likely to experience nightmares and 22% at the age of 11. children with persistent nightmares range from 10% to 50%. however, only 1% of children meet the criteria of a nightmare disorder. some factors tend to predict the development of a disorder from the presence of nightmares during childhood, such as a fear of going to sleep or going back to bed after a nightmare, an irregular sleep life and an avoidance of thinking about the nightmare. research dissociative disorders are usually paired with nightmare disorder 57% of the time. nightmare disorder is believed to be associated with dissociative disorders as a defense mechanism that is used to escape from the traumatic event that caused the dissociative disorder. people with dissociative disorder and nightmare disorder are more likely to self-mutilate, attempt suicide, and have borderline personality disorder. borderline personality disorder with nightmare disorder is very common, since the stages of sleep vary from that of a normal person (i.e. increased stage one sleep, and less stage four sleep). people with borderline personality disorder and nightmare disorder are usually the severest of those who have borderline personality disorder; therefore, treating those with nightmare disorder may also help some with borderline personality disorder. hypnosis seems to be a new and effective treatment for those with nightmare disorder, since it increases relaxation. nightmare disorder is also associated with those who have lower cholesterol. this connection is unclear; however, cholesterol may affect other hormones in the body (such as serotonin) which may affect one's sleep.