This study explores, from a Foucauldian perspective, individuals with “severe and persistent” mental health problems’ relationship with authenticity, by analysing the truth practices they enounce on their experiences of self-management. Results indicate that authenticity is conceived as the heap of six ontological markers, most of which are perceived as unattainable. We postulate that this gap with authenticity is the product of 1) the hypernormality of authenticity; and 2) conflicts between markers of authenticity. Inauthenticity is analysed as a potential trait of contemporary madness, and reflections for social work practice are suggested.