What effect does having a bipolar mom and a dad who has a history of depression have on their child's psyche?

Environment/heredity: There is definitely an hereditary component to depression and bipolar disease although this does not mean your child will inherit them. These diseases are multifactorial. As important is the mental state you are in while raising the child. Make sure you are properly medicated to maintain your optimal mental health and have appropriate counselng.

Partial: We now understand that many mental health illnesses have an inherited component. Children of parents with mental health illnesses, therefore, have an increased risk of suffering from similar illnesses. However, the increased is not very large.

Genes + environment: Bipolar disorder is as heritable as diabetes. You may be more at risk due to having two parents with the disorder. Keep a regular sleep/wake cycle. That is, try to get a good night's sleep and avoid work that makes you stay up too late. You may be more sensitive to stress. Environment plays as big a role as genes, but awareness is key to be healthy.

A lot: 1st genetic. Having a parent with bipolar disorder (bd) increases risk of bd to about 20%. All other mood/ anxiety ^.2nd parent with depression ( mdd) ^ further. 2nd has to do with stability/ dysfunction in family. There are many consequences to untreated bd and mdd that effect (not predestine) everyone in family. Nevertheless everyone is responsable for their own emotions and behavior.