How can one tell if a teenager really has depression or is pretending to (to get out of chores, schoolwork etc?

Find medical cause: Depression can be caused from low thyroid, allergies, nutritional deficiencies. Have a full medical eval done. If child is too tired to do chores, it could be thyroid. But if child is that tired, s/he should be too tired to be with friends too. If they are only depressed for chores, it isn't depression.

Innocent till proven: Depression in children and adolescent is more prevalent than we think.It is not safe so assume that your child is faking it to get out of an unpleasant or unwanted chore.Seek help from a mental health provider and/or your md, get a proper assessment.There is a good chance that a problem is present.

Teen depression: Depression in teenagers may look like a bad child instead of a sad child. Teens may begin smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs. They may stop doing homework and academics may take a nose dive. Arguments with parents and siblings may increase. They may be irritable. A previously compliant teen may now become a defiant one. Con't.